Court Shifts Arraignment of APC Chieftain Stella Oduah In The N5 Billion Fraud Case

Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday shifted the arraignment of APC chieftain Stella Oduah in the alleged five billion naira fraud trial.

Infoexpert24 understands that the former Aviation Minister, Stella Oduah had been scheduled for arraignment before Justice Inyang Ekwo on Tuesday, but the proceeding could not take place due to a public holiday according to Gazettengr.

However, a check at the court on Wednesday revealed that the matter, though not on the cause list, had been fixed for November 22 and November 23 for trial.

Read Also: Panics Grips Piggyvest Users As The Platform loses N2billion Investment To Scammers

Justice Ekwo had, on July 12, threatened to issue a warrant of arrest against the former minister if she failed to appear in court by the next adjourned date (October 19).

The judge had given the warning after counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the alleged five billion naira trial against Ms. Oduah and eight others Hassan Liman, told the court that Ms. Oduah and one other defendant were not in court to take their plea.

Court Shifts Arraignment of APC chieftain Stella Oduah In The N5 Billion Fraud Case

The court had earlier fixed February 9 for the arraignment of the former minister but the matter could not be held then since she was not served with the court processes.

Read Also: Facebook To Change Name Next Week, See Reason

The court also fixed April 19 for the arraignment but due to the strike by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), the matter could not hold.

The lawmaker is facing a fraud charge alongside others in a suit with the number FHC/ABJ/CR/316/20.

The anti-corruption agency is alleging that Ms. Oduah misappropriated public funds to the tune of five billion nairas while serving as Minister of Aviation.

When the matter was called on the last adjourned date, Mr. Liman, who informed that the case was scheduled for arraignment, said the anti-corruption agency had carried out the court order made on February 9.

Read Also: Chelsea Boss, Tuchel Reveals Their Biggest Rival This Season In The Champions League

“On February 22, 2020, my lord made an order of substituted service on the fifth and sixth defendants in the trial.

“We have carried out the order my lord,” he had said.

Infoexpert24 understands that Stella Oduah, who represents Anambra North Senatorial District at the National Assembly, recently defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, from Peoples Democratic Party, the party through which she gained office.