Former Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah, has been arraigned before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Maitama, Abuja, over alleged involvement in a ₦2.4 billion fraud.

Oduah and her co-defendant, Gloria Odita, were brought to court by the Federal Government on Tuesday on a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy, obtaining by false pretence, and criminal breach of trust.

According to the charge sheet presented before Justice Hamza Muazu, the defendants allegedly conspired in January 2014 to fraudulently obtain ₦2,469,030,738.90 from the Federal Ministry of Aviation through Broad Waters Resources Nigeria Ltd and Global Offshore Marine Ltd. The funds were said to have been obtained under false claims of providing “Cost of Technical Supervision” and “Security Integrated and Logistics Support Services.”

The prosecution stated that the representations were false, contrary to Sections 8(a) and 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud Act.

Another count alleged that on January 13, 2014, the defendants obtained ₦839,780,738.90, while a further ₦1,629,250,000 was purportedly obtained on February 12, 2014, both under false pretences.

Oduah was also accused of misappropriating funds meant for a contract awarded to 1-Sec Security Nigeria Ltd, allegedly authorising transfers that violated her official trust as minister, offences punishable under Sections 311 and 315 of the Penal Code.

Their lawyers, Chief Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) and Wale Balogun (SAN), applied for bail, with Ikpeazu requesting bail on self-recognition. He noted that Oduah voluntarily returned from the United States to comply with court processes and had earlier been granted administrative bail by the EFCC.

The Attorney-General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), who led the prosecution, did not oppose bail but asked the court to fix firm trial dates, adding that the defendants had been served since November 27, 2025.

Justice Muazu granted the defendants bail on self-recognition and ordered them to deposit their international passports with the court.

The trial is scheduled to begin on February 12 and 13, 2026.