Senator Stella Oduah, the former Minister of Aviation, pleaded not guilty over N5 billion fraud charged against them at the Federal High Court.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has taken to court, the former aviation minister, Stella and eight others on Friday before Justice Inyang Ekwo of a Federal High Court, Abuja.
News About Nigeria gathered that on Monday, the News Agency, NAN stated that Justice Ekwo scheduled the date after a counsel that appeared for EFCC, Hassan Liman SAN, begged the court to allow the defendants to take their plea, having filed the charge against them since last three years, exactly on December 17, 2020.
Apart from Oduah, those who were arraigned alongside her were Gloria Odita, Nwosu Emmanuel Nnamdi and Chukwuma Irene Chinyere.
Also includes Global Offshore and Marine Ltd, Tip Top Global Resources Ltd, Crystal Television Ltd, Sobora International Ltd and others.
The ex-lawmaker was arraigned on alleged N5 billion fraud and financial misappropriation while she served as Minister during the former president Goodluck Jonathan’s Administration.
In the 25-count charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/316/2020, they are accused of conspiracy, money laundering and maintaining anonymous bank accounts with a commercial bank.
After taking their plea, Justice Ekwo ordered that the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) take over the matter.
He added that the EFCC should transfer the case file to the AGF in two weeks.
While upholding the existing administrative bail conditions granted them by the EFCC, the court also ordered that the terms of conditions be made available to the AGF.
The court subsequently adjourned the case for trial on October 17, 2023.
