Stella Oduah, former minister of aviation, has begun steps to refund part of the ₦2.4 billion allegedly linked to fraud charges filed against her.
Rotimi Oyedepo, director of public prosecution of the federation (DPPF), disclosed this on Thursday during the resumed hearing before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja.
Oduah, who served as aviation minister between July 2011 and February 2014, was arraigned on December 10 alongside Gloria Odita on a five-count charge bordering on alleged fraud, obtaining by false pretence, and criminal breach of trust. Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Oyedepo told the court that the defendants had initiated the process of returning some of the funds to the government.
“The defendants have made a move to refund a certain amount of the money into the government coffers,” he said, adding that the federal government was awaiting confirmation that the bank draft had been received. He did not disclose the exact amount involved.
Counsel to Oduah, Onyechi Ikpeazu, and counsel to Odita, Favour Osunaya, acknowledged the development but declined to give further details regarding the refund.
Following the submissions, Justice Hamza Muazu adjourned the case until March 26 to receive a progress report on the negotiations.
The development comes weeks after both the prosecution and defence informed the court that the defendants had applied for a plea bargain with the office of the attorney-general of the federation.
Oyedepo earlier explained that Oduah filed the request under Section 270 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, which permits plea bargaining in criminal cases.
Under the law, plea bargaining allows a defendant to negotiate with prosecutors—often agreeing to plead guilty to fewer charges or reduced counts in exchange for concessions such as a lighter sentence or restitution of the alleged proceeds of the crime.
