Former Aviation Minister, Senator Stella Oduah, was on Wednesday brought before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Maitama, Abuja, by the Federal Government over corruption allegations involving N5 billion.
During the proceedings, which our correspondent attended, she was charged by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, on five counts related to conspiracy and obtaining funds under false pretences.
One of the charges alleges that Oduah fraudulently secured N2.4 billion from the Federal Ministry of Aviation through Broad Waters Resources.
She reportedly claimed the funds were meant for technical supervision.
The fraud was said to have been committed in January 2014.
In one of the counts, Oduah was accused of fraudulently obtaining the sum of ₦2.4 billion through a company, Broad Waters Resources, from the Federal Ministry of Aviation under the pretence that the funds were for technical supervision.
In other counts, she was alleged to have collected ₦1.6 billion and another ₦839 million using similar means, contrary to provisions of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offences Act.
The former minister was arraigned alongside a co-defendant, Gloria Odita. Both defendants pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
Oduah was represented at the arraignment by Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), while Wale Balogun (SAN) appeared for Odita.
Justice Hamza Muazu admitted Oduah to bail on self-recognition but ordered her to deposit her international passport with the court. The judge also directed that she must not travel out of the country without the permission of the court.
This is the second time the Federal Government is prosecuting Oduah over the matter. An earlier case filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission against her was withdrawn.