October 12, (THEWILL) – The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, has given the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) approval to prosecute former Aviation Minister, Sen. Stella Oduah, and others over alleged N5 billion fraud.
The approval was disclosed by the EFCC Prosecuting counsel, Hassan Liman (SAN), on Wednesday at the resumed hearing on the matter before Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
Justice Ekwo, on May 10, fixed October 12 for the arraignment of the defendants following a letter from the office of the AGF in response to a petition. written by counsel to the 8th defendant in the suit, Ogbu James Onoja (SAN).
Onoja had, on Nov. 22, 2021, raised an objection to the defendants taking their plea, informing that a petition had been written to the AGF, where he alleged that the defendants were just being persecuted as against prosecution.
But on Wednesday, when the matter was called for the defendants to take their plea, counsel to the EFCC, Liman, told the court that the AGF had responded to the petition and given a nod in a letter for the matter to proceed.
The senior lawyer said no fewer than 32 witnesses lined up to testify in the suit.
Lawyers to all the defendants, including Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), who appeared for the senator, acknowledged receipt of the letter from the AGF.
The judge, who ordered an accelerated hearing in the trial, directed all parties to put their house in order.
Ekwo said the trial would be on a day-to-day basis and adjourned until Feb. 13, Feb. 14, Feb. 15, Feb. 16 and Feb. 17, 2023 for hearing.
Oduah, who currently represents Anambra North Senatorial District at the National Assembly, was expected to be arraigned by the EFCC on alleged N5 billion fraud and financial misappropriation.
Other defendants in the charge, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/316/2020, are Gloria Odita, Nwosu Emmanuel Nnamdi and Chukwuma Irene Chinyere.
They also include Global Offshore and Marine Ltd, Tip Top Global Resources Ltd, Crystal Television Ltd, Sobora International Ltd and others
They are being charged with conspiracy, money laundering and maintaining anonymous bank accounts with a commercial bank.
They will be arraigned on a 25-count charge.
