Stella Oduah, former Minister of Aviation, has submitted a plea bargain-related application in connection with the N2.5 billion fraud charges against her, the prosecution disclosed at the FCT High Court in Abuja on Thursday, February 12.
The Director of Public Prosecution, Rotimi Oyedepo, told the court that the application was received by the Attorney-General of the Federation in line with Section 270 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015.
“The matter is slated for commencement of trial, but as the prosecution was preparing for the trial, the AGF received an application from the first defendant for discussion. This is in line with the provisions of Section 270 of the ACJA 2015,” Oyedepo said.
While the contents of the application were not disclosed in open court, Section 270 of the ACJA governs plea bargaining in federal criminal proceedings and outlines the conditions under which such negotiations may be undertaken.
Oduah, her co-defendant Gloria Odita, and their lawyers were present in court. Oduah’s counsel, Tobechukwu Michael, confirmed the submission of the application, while Wale Balogun, representing Odita, also acknowledged the development.
Oyedepo informed the court that discussions were ongoing and requested a date either for a progress report or for the commencement of trial. Justice Hamza Muazu subsequently adjourned the case until March 5.
Plea bargaining is a negotiated agreement in which a defendant may plead guilty, often to a lesser charge or fewer counts, in exchange for concessions such as a lighter sentence or withdrawal of certain charges. Section 270 of the ACJA empowers the prosecution to receive or offer a plea bargain either directly from the defendant or through legal representatives.
The law sets conditions aimed at preventing abuse of the process. It provides that plea bargaining may proceed where the prosecution’s evidence is insufficient to prove the offence beyond reasonable doubt, where the defendant agrees to return proceeds of crime or make restitution, or where a defendant in a conspiracy case cooperates with investigators and prosecutors. It also requires that the process serve the interest of justice, public interest and public policy, and in some cases that the victim or the victim’s representative be involved.
On December 10, 2025, the Attorney-General of the Federation arraigned Oduah and Odita before the FCT High Court on five counts bordering on fraud involving N2.5 billion. The prosecution alleged that in January 2014, the defendants fraudulently obtained N2,469,030,738.9 from the Ministry of Aviation through Broad Waters Resource Nigeria Limited and Global Offshore Marine Limited by false pretence.
The money was allegedly represented as payment for “technical supervision and security integrated and logistics support services,” which the prosecution said the defendants knew to be false. The charges were filed under Sections 8(a) and 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006, punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act. Both defendants pleaded not guilty.
Oduah is also facing a separate N5 billion money laundering trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja alongside Odita, Chinese construction giant CCECC Nigeria Limited and other defendants, including Nwosu Nnamdi, Chukwuma Irene Chinyere, Global Offshore and Marine Ltd, Tip Top Global Resources Ltd, Crystal Television Ltd and Sobora International Ltd.
The 25-count charge in that case, filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on December 17, 2020, centres on allegations that about N5,052,415,984 was laundered between February and June 2014. The counts include conspiracy to commit money laundering, transferring and taking possession of proceeds of fraud, aiding and abetting money laundering and opening anonymous bank accounts.
The prosecution alleged that CCECC Nigeria Limited transferred over N2.5 billion into a “Private Banking Nominee” account between March 31 and June 6, 2014, funds it reasonably ought to have known formed part of the proceeds of unlawful activity. The defendants have denied all allegations.
The separate trial has made limited progress since arraignment in July 2023, following delays and procedural setbacks
