EFCC Set To Arraign Senator Stella Oduah For Alleged N7.9 Billion Money Laundering

By Ayodele Oni

At last, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) has received the nod to commence the arraignment of Senator Stella Oduah, in N7.9 billion money laundering charges.

This followed issuance of a legal advice to that effect by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.

The directive, issued in a letter to the Federal High Court has therefore brought to an end the adjournments suffered by the arraignment in six consecutive times.

Stella Oduah served as a Minister of aviation in the administration of former President Good luck Jonathan.

Oduah and other defendants in the alleged fraud were to have been arraigned since last year, but was, for six times, put off, following the request of the AGF to allow him study the case file and give legal opinion.

At Wednesday’s proceedings, the EFCC brought a letter before the Court from Malami, asking that the Senator be formally docked on the alleged offences.

Senator Oduah, who was personally present in court along with her other eight co-defendants

were given February 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17, 2023 for arraignment and full scale accelerated trial.

Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo fixed the dates following confirmation by parties that the AGF  actually issued the letter and copied them as required by law.

The EFCC in the charges, alleged that Oduah misappropriated the N7.9 billion public funds, while serving as a Minister under former President Goodluck Jonathan’s Government.

Other defendants are Gloria Odita, Nwosu Emmanuel Nnamdi, Chukwuma Irene Chinyere, Global Offshore, and Marine Limited, Tip Top Global Resources Limited, Crystal Television Limited and Sobora International Limited.

They are charged with conspiracy and money laundering, as well as maintaining anonymous bank accounts.