Former Aviation Minister Stella Oduah has been arraigned before a High Court in Maitama, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), alongside her former aide, Gloria Odita, over allegations of misappropriating approximately ₦5 billion in public funds.

The five-count charge, filed on October 14, 2025, by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), covers transactions alleged to have taken place between January and February 2014 while Oduah was in office.

Both defendants pleaded not guilty. Their legal representatives, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) for Oduah and Wale Balogun (SAN) for Odita, applied for bail, which the prosecution did not oppose.

Justice Hamza Muazu granted bail on self-recognition and ordered Oduah to submit her international passport, to be retrieved only with court permission. Odita’s passport, held by the EFCC for another case, is to be transferred to the court upon conclusion of that matter. The trial was adjourned to January 12 and 13, 2026.

The charges allege that:

• Oduah and Odita obtained ₦2.46 billion through Broad Waters Resource Nigeria Limited and Global Offshore Marine Limited under false pretences, claiming it was for “technical supervision” and “security support services.”
• On January 13, 2014, they allegedly obtained ₦839.78 million from the Ministry of Aviation via Broad Waters Resource account, again under false pretences.
• On February 12, 2014, they allegedly obtained ₦1.63 billion through Global Offshore Marine Limited, falsely claiming it was for “security integrated support services.”
• They are also accused of misappropriating the same funds while overseeing contracts awarded to I-SEC Security Nigeria Ltd, in breach of official trust under the Penal Code Law.

The court will continue hearing the matter in January.