Former Nigerian Aviation Minister, Stella Oduah, has indicated her willingness to refund money stolen from the Nigerian government as part of efforts to settle a ₦2.5billion fraud case through a plea bargain arrangement.
Oduah and her co-defendant signalled their intention to pursue the plea deal during proceedings before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday.
The Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, informed the court that both defendants had approached the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation to negotiate a plea agreement.
Oyedepo told the court that part of the proposed arrangement includes the refund of funds believed to have been obtained unlawfully.
“They have made moves to refund certain amount of money into the government coffers.
“What is left is the confirmation of receipt of the bank draft by the government,” Oyedepo was quoted by Newsmen .
Counsel to Oduah, Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, confirmed the prosecution’s statement, noting that discussions around the proposed settlement were ongoing.
Lawyer to the second defendant, Favour Osuanya, also acknowledged that negotiations for a plea bargain were in progress.
Following the submissions, Justice Hamza Muazu adjourned the case until March 26 to receive an update on the progress of the plea negotiations.
Earlier, during proceedings on February 12, Oyedepo told the court that the plea bargain move was initiated in line with Section 270 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015.
He explained that consultations between the parties were still ongoing and requested more time for a report on the negotiations or the commencement of trial.
SaharaReporters in December reported how Stella Oduah, alongside Gloria Odita, were arraigned before an Abuja High Court over an alleged N2.4billion fraud.
According to the prosecution, the defendants allegedly conspired in January 2014 to obtain a total of ₦2,469,030,738.90 from the Federal Ministry of Aviation through Broad Waters Resources Nigeria Ltd and Global Offshore Marine Ltd under fraudulent pretences.
The charges state that Oduah and Odita agreed amongst themselves to obtain the sum of ₦2.469 billion by falsely claiming it represented ‘Cost of Technical Supervision’ and ‘Security Integrated and Logistics Support Services,’ knowing such claims were untrue.
”Pretending that the said sum represented ‘Cost of Technical Supervision’ and ‘Security Integrated and Logistics Support Services’, which representation you knew to be false.”
“The offence violates Sections 8(a) and 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud Act and is punishable under Section 1(3).
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the government alleged that on January 13, 2014, the defendants “obtained the sum of Eight Hundred and Thirty-Nine Million, Seven Hundred and Eighty Thousand, Seven Hundred and Thirty-Eight Naira, Nine Kobo (₦839,780,738.90) by falsely pretending that the said sum represented ‘Cost of Technical Supervision’.”
Count three alleges that on February 12, 2014, the defendants obtained ₦1,629,250,000 from the ministry through Global Offshore Marine Ltd, claiming it was for “Security Integrated and Logistics Support Services”, a representation the prosecution says was false.
In counts Four and Five, the FG accused Oduah, as minister at the time, of dishonestly misappropriating the same sums earmarked for a contract awarded to 1-Sec Security Nigeria Ltd.
The charge states that she “dishonestly misappropriated the sum by authorising the transfer of the said sum, which act is a breach of your official trust,” contrary to Section 311 and punishable under Section 315 of the Penal Code.
Both defendants earlier denied the allegations and previously pleaded not guilty to the charges.
