March 26, (THEWILL) — A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory sitting in Maitama has cleared former Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, and her former aide, Gloria Odita, of alleged N2.5 billion fraud, while ordering the winding up of two firms linked to the case.
Justice Hamza Muazu delivered the ruling on Thursday after the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation discontinued the charges against the two individuals and filed an amended charge naming only Sobora International Limited and Global Offshore and Marine Limited as defendants.
At the start of proceedings, prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), informed the court that the amended charge followed plea bargain discussions between the parties.
He said the prosecution had decided to proceed against the corporate entities directly connected to the transactions in question.
Proceedings were briefly stood down to resolve issues relating to legal representation for the firms.
Upon resumption, the court read the amended two-count charge, which accused Sobora International Limited of unlawfully possessing N838 million, while Global Offshore and Marine Limited was alleged to have unlawfully held N1.629 billion.
In a significant development, Oduah appeared as a representative of the companies and entered a guilty plea on their behalf.
Following the plea, the prosecution urged the court to convict the firms, order their winding up, and approve the forfeiture of funds already recovered.
Specifically, the prosecution sought the forfeiture of N1.2 billion paid as restitution—evidenced by a bank draft—as well as N780 million recovered during investigations.
Counsel to the companies, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), did not oppose the application.
In his ruling, Justice Muazu convicted both companies based on their guilty plea, ordered their winding up, and directed that a total of N1.98 billion (comprising the N1.2 billion restitution and N780 million recovered) be forfeited to the Federal Government.
The judge also struck out the earlier charge dated October 13, 2025, which had included Oduah and Odita as defendants, and formally discharged both individuals.
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