Tag: Stella Oduah

N5bn fraud: Court shifts Stella Oduah, CCECC case

A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Tuesday, rescheduled the trial of Sen. Stella Oduah, a Chinese construction giant, CCECC, and others on alleged N5 billion fraud charges for Nov. 14.

The matter, which was on number three on the cause list could not be heard by Justice Inyang Ekwo.

Although counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Offem Uket, was in court, the defendants, including Oduah, were not in court.

Recall that Justice Ekwo had, on July 21, ordered the EFCC to produce persons behind breaching his privacy through text messages on his phone and another group who petitioned the chief justice of Nigeria regarding the ongoing case.

The judge, who adjourned the matter until today, directed that the anti-corruption agency must produce the those persons in court.

“I will give a date for trial and make a consequential order because you have allowed this matter to degenerate this way.

“Do you think you can shield any of these persons who have interfered in these proceedings?” he asked rhetorically.

Oduah, a former senator representing Anambra North Senatorial District at the 9th National Assembly, and others were arraigned on July 21 on 25-count charge.

She was arraigned alongside CCECC Nigeria Ltd, the Nigerian subsidiary of China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) established by the Chinese government to execute international contracts and economic cooperation.

Also joined in the charge are Gloria Odita, Nwosu Emmanuel Nnamdi and Chukwuma Irene Chinyere.

Others include Global Offshore and Marine Ltd, Tip Top Global Resources Ltd, Crystal Television Ltd and Sobora International Ltd.

They all pleaded not guilty to the counts and were admitted to bail in terms of the administrative bail earlier granted them by the anti-graft agency.

In the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/316/2020 and filed by the EFCC on December 17, 2020, the defendants are being accused of laundering various sums of money totalling about N5,052,415,984 between February and June 2014.

The EFCC accused the defendants of conspiracy to commit money laundering, transferring, taking control and taking possession of proceeds of fraud, aiding and abetting money laundering and opening anonymous bank accounts.

Specifically, the prosecution alleged in two of the 25 counts that Oduah, a former Aviation Minister, and Odita opened anonymous “Private Banking Nominee” dollar and naira accounts with First Bank Ltd, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 11(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 11(4) (a) of the same Act.

In the charge, CCECC Nigeria Limited was alleged to have transferred over N2.5 billion into the naira account of a Private Banking Nominee between March 31 and June 6, 2014.

October 17, 2023
Federal High Court fixes October 17 for the trial of ex-Aviation Minister, Stella Oduah, CCECC

The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed Tuesday, October 17 for the trial of former Minister of Aviation, Senator Stella Adaeze Oduah and China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC).

The corruption charge was filed in court by the Federal government of Nigeria.

Mrs Oduah and the China Construction giant will face prosecution for alleged fraud, money laundering and bribery running into the tune of N7.9bn.

It was gathered that CCECC would be made to face trial for allegedly bribing Federal Government officials to the tune of N7.9billion through alleged transfers from its numerous bank accounts to the accounts of beneficiaries of the graft to facilitate government patronage.

Findings show that Oduah is facing corruption charges for allegedly accepting money from CCECC while she was still serving as Aviation minister.

A cause list released on Monday by the Federal High Court indicates that the full-blown trial would be conducted by Justice Inyang Eden Ekwo in Abuja on October 17.

However, unlike the previous proceedings, the trial this time around will be coordinated and conducted by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice on the order of the Federal High Court.

The EFCC was said to have been ordered to step aside from the trial following its involvement in some unlawful means that stalled the case for more than two years.

Recall that Mrs Oduah and eight others pleaded not guilty on Friday, July 21, 2023, to a N7.9 billion fraud charge preferred against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

They were arraigned by the EFCC before Justice Inyang Ekwo of a Federal High Court in Abuja on a 25-count charge bordering on money laundering.

The former Aviation Minister was docked alongside three others: Gloria Odita, Nwobu Emmanuel Nnamdi and Irene Chukwuma and five companies, Global Offshore and Marine Limited, Tiptop Global Resources Limited, Crystal Television Limited, Sobora International Limited and China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC).

Senator Oduah was arraigned on alleged N7.9 billion fraud and financial misappropriation while she served as Minister during the former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

In the 25-count charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/316/2020, they were accused of conspiracy, money laundering and maintaining anonymous bank accounts with a commercial bank.

Count one of the charges reads, “that you, Stella Adaeze Oduah whilst being the Minister of Aviation, the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Gloria Odita whilst being the Company Secretary to Sea Petroleum & Gas Company Ltd (SPGC) and an aide to the former Minister of Aviation, Nwobu Emmanuel Nnamdi, whilst being an employee of Sea Petroleum & Gas Company Ltd (SPGC) and an aide to the former Minister of Aviation, Chukwuma Irene Chinyere, Global Offshore And Marine Limited, Tiptop Global Resources Limited, Crystal Television Limited, Sobora International Limited between January 2014 and April 2014 at Abuja within the judicial division of this Honourable Court did conspire among yourselves to commit an offence to wit: ‘Money Laundering’ and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 (As Amended) and punishable under Section 15(3) and (4) of the same Act”.

Count 5 reads, “that you, Stella Adaeze Oduah whilst being the Minister of Aviation, the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Global Offshore and Marine Ltd, a Limited Liability Company registered under the Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on or about 12th February 2014 at Abuja within the Judicial Division of this Honourable Court took control of the sum of N1,629,250,000.00 (One Billion, Six Hundred and Twenty-Nine Million, Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) only and paid into the account of Global Offshore and Marine Ltd account No. 2022977296 domiciled with First Bank Plc from I-Sec Security Nig. Ltd accounts No. 2021756955 with First Bank Plc, which money you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of an unlawful act and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(2) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 (As Amended) and punishable under Section 15(3) and (4) of the same Act.

The defendants had pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them.

Justice Ekwo granted bail to the defendants on the terms of the administrative bail earlier offered them by the EFCC and adjourned till October 17 for the commencement of trial.

October 17, 2023
Alleged N5bn fraud: Senator Stella Oduah, others plead not guilty

Former Aviation Minister, Sen. Stella Oduah, and others on Friday, pleaded not guilty to a N5 billion fraud charge preferred against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Oduah and eight others were arraigned by the EFCC before Justice Inyang Ekwo of a Federal High Court, Abuja.

Recalled that on Monday, Justice Ekwo fixed the date after counsel that appeared for EFCC, Hassan Liman, SAN, prayed the court to allow the defendants to take their plea, having filed the charge against them since Dec. 17, 2020.

Others arraigned alongside the ex-lawmaker, who represented Anambra North Senatorial District at the 9th National Assembly, were Gloria Odita, Nwosu Emmanuel Nnamdi, and Chukwuma Irene Chinyere.

Others include Global Offshore and Marine Ltd, Tip Top Global Resources Ltd, Crystal Television Ltd, Sobora International Ltd and others.

Oduah was arraigned on alleged N5 billion fraud and financial misappropriation while she served as Minister during the Jonathan Administration.

In the 25-count charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/316/2020, they are accused of conspiracy, money laundering and maintaining anonymous bank accounts with a commercial bank.

The proceeding was still ongoing as at the time of filing the reports.

July 21, 2023
EFCC arraigns Stella Oduah today over NYSC saga

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will today arraign former Aviation Minister, Sen. Stella Oduah, before Justice James Omotosho of a Federal High Court in Abuja on a fresh charge.

Oduah, who represented Anambra North Senatorial Distinct in the 9th National Assembly, will be arraigned on an eight-count charge bordering on perjury and document falsification.

A notice of arraignment had since been served on parties in the matter. In the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/275/2023, Oduah is the sole defendant.

The ex-lawmaker is accused of misrepresenting facts about whether or not she participated in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and was issued a certificate to that effect.

She was alleged to have falsified documents with which she got into public offices, including being a minister and a senator.

She was alleged to have been aided by one D. A. O. Oshinowo (now at large).

The anti-graft agency had, earlier, filed a money laundering charge against Oduah and others currently before Justice Inyang Ekwo of a sister court.

Some of the counts read: “That you, Sen. Stella Oduah and D. A. O. Oshinowo (at large) sometime in 2017 in Abuja, did fabricate an incorrect document with intent to cause … to wit: titled: Re: Request for National Youth Service Confirmation with intend that it may be acted upon as genuine, the representation you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 156 of the Penal Code Act and punishable under section 158(1) of the same Act.

“That you Senator Stella Oduah in 2011 in Abuja, did forward your credential to Federal Government of Nigeria among which is an affidavit and extract from police Crime Diary, that you lost your NYSC certificate, the representation you know to be false, which led to your nomination as a cabinet Minister and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 39(2)(a) and punishable under Section 39(2)(b) of the some Act, among others.

July 11, 2023
N7.9bn fraud charge: Again court suspends Stella Oduah’s arraignment over security reasons

Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja on Thursday, June 15, 2023, again suspended the planned arraignment of a former Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah and others on alleged N7.9 billion fraud charges, citing security reasons.

According to the judge, the court will not continue with the trial until it is certain and satisfied that the security and safety of the persons involved in the trial is assured.

At the last adjourned date, Justice Ekwo had complained about receiving private messages regarding the case from persons whose identities he did not disclose, while warning them to desist from intruding on his privacy.

At today’s proceeding Justice Ekwo voiced his anger that the prosecution failed to fish out the culprits.

“I want you to find out who that character is, arrest him and bring him to court on the next date. I am not going to go on with this trial until I am certain and satisfied that the security and safety of all the persons involved in the trial is assured,” he said.

Justice Ekwo produced a publication wherein his life was severely threatened over his involvement in the trial. He urged the EFCC to fish out the culprits and bring them before the court, even as he ordered the Deputy Chief Registrar of the Court to liaise with the Corporate Affairs Commission to obtain the identities of the promoters of the offending publication.

Before the case was adjourned, counsel to the seventh defendant, intimated the court of a letter wherein he informed the court that his client, Crystal Television, had entered into a plea bargain with the EFCC and already paid One Hundred Million, (N100, 000, 000.00) as part-payment for compounding the offence contained in the charge.

Part of the letter reads: “Sequel to our letter dated 22nd May 2023, on the above matter, we hereby forward, under the covering of this letter, a Zenith Bank Manager’s Cheque (Bank draft) Nos. 00009061, 00009063, 00009065, 00009066, 00009068, 00009070, 00009071, 00009072 and 00009073, all dated May 2023, in the sum of N100, 000,000.00(One Hundred Million Naira) only as part payment for compounding of offenses contained in the above charge”.

The letter further stated that, “Pursuant to all previous payments and the one referred to herein, our client has the sum of N280, 000,000.00 balance payment and the same shall be paid as soon as possible.”

The judge however adjourned the matter till July 17, 2023 for the CAC to report on the owners of the organization, and the EFCC to fish out the culprits.

June 15, 2023
Bianca Ojukwu shades Ebele Obiano after losing her senatorial election

Former Nigeria Ambassador to Spain, Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu, has shaded the wife of the immediate past governor of Anambra State, Mrs. Ebelechukwu Obiano after the latter lost her Senatorial election.

TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that Mrs Obiano lost in the Anambra North Senatorial election to Labour Party’s Tony Nwoye.

Recall that Mrs Obiano and Bianca were involved in a slapping incident during the swearing-in ceremony of Governor Soludo in April 2022. The animosity between both women appears not to have dissipated.

In an apparent reaction to Obiano’s loss at the Senatorial election, Bianca, widow of the late Igbo leader, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, posted a tin of blended tomatoes and wrote;

“KARMA IS ALWAYS SERVED PIPING HOT AND RIGHT ON TIME….

“Anambra North…. Anyi aga Ejezikwa Abuja ooo???

“Never seek to acquire those things which you actively work devilishly hard to deny others…..maka na agbasia oso, Aguo mile.

“Just cooking my jollof rice with special tomato stew with my custom branded tomato paste with extra hot pepper mix (Distributors needed Nationwide) which I will settle down to enjoy with a chilled bottle of four cousins….Come and eat…

“Nansense!!!! ife di njo adiro mma…”

TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that Nwoye defeated Senator Stella Oduah of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Mrs Ebele of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

Tony Nwoye of the Labour Party (LP) won the Anambra North Senatorial District election.

It was gathered that Senator Oduah, a former aviation minister, lost in all the seven local government areas of Anambra North Senatorial District, namely Onitsha North, Onitsha South, Oyi, Ogbaru, Anambra East, Anambra West and Ayamelum.

February 28, 2023
2023: Court dismisses suit challenging Stella Oduah’s senatorial candidacy

A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Tuesday, dismissed a suit filed against Sen. Stella Oduah, seeking an order invalidating her nomination as Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s a senatorial candidate in Anambra.
Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a judgment, dismissed the suit for being status barred.

Newsmen reports that Justice Ekwo had, on Oct. 13, fixed today for judgment in the matter filed by John Emeka, an aspirant in the May 27 primary poll conducted by the PDP and monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The plaintiff had sued Oduah, PDP and INEC as 1st to 3rd defendants respectively.

Emeka alleged that Oduah lied on oath in both her expression of interest and nomination forms, including in the INEC Form CF001 which she submitted to the commission for the 2023 Anambra North Senatorial District seat.

In the originating summons marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/841/2022 dated and filed on June 8 by his lawyer, Mbanefo Ikwegbue, Emeka prayed the court to declare that the information supplied by Oduah in her INEC Form CF001, with respect to her participation in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme, was false.

He said the senator had, under oath, used the same information to participate in the previous general elections as the PDP’s candidate for the 2015 and 2019 polls for Anambra North Senatorial District.

According to him, the act contravenes Sections 12(1)(a)(b)(c) and 13(1)(a) of the NYSC Act.

He further prayed the court to declare that by reason of the false information given in her INEC Form CF 001 in respect of her participation in the NYSC Scheme, she was not qualified to have contested in the said elections and or any other election into the Nigerian Senate

November 22, 2022
Court fixes date for judgment in suit seeking Stella Oduah’s disqualification

A Federal High Court, Abuja has fixed Nov. 30 for judgment in a suit filed against Sen. Stella Oduah, seeking an order invalidating her nomination as Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Anambra.

Oduah is contesting for the Anambra North Senatorial District for the 2023 election, seat at the National Assembly, which she won, and has been occupying since 2015.

Justice Inyang Ekwo fixed the date after counsel for the applicant and the defence adopted and presented their arguments in the matter.

John Emeka, an aspirant in the May 27 primary poll conducted by the party and monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), had sued Oduah, PDP and INEC as 1st to 3rd defendants respectively.

Emeka alleged that Oduah lied on oath in both her expression of interest and nomination forms, including in the INEC Form CF001 which she submitted to the commission for the 2023 Anambra North Senatorial District seat.

In the originating summons marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/841/2022 dated and filed on June 8 by his lawyer, Mbanefo Ikwegbue, Emeka prayed the court to declare that the information supplied by Oduah in her INEC Form CF001, with respect to her participation in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme, was false.

He said the senator had, under oath, used the same information to participate in the previous general elections as the PDP’s candidate for the 2015 and 2019 polls for Anambra North Senatorial District.

According to him, the act contravenes Sections 12(1)(a)(b)(c) and 13(1)(a) of the NYSC Act.

He further prayed the court to declare that by reason of the false information given in her INEC Form CF 001 in respect of her participation in the NYSC Scheme, she was not qualified to have contested in the said elections and or any other election into the Nigerian Senate.

Emeka, therefore, sought an order nullifying the senator’s participation in the PDP’s primary election held on May 27 for the 2023 Senatorial District seat in the National Assembly.

He prayed for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the party from presenting her to INEC as its candidate for the forthcoming poll.

The aspirant also prayed for an order of perpetual injunction restraining INEC from accepting her name as PDP’s candidate for the 2023 senatorial district poll.

He further prayed the court to declare him the valid candidate of the PDP for the 2023 general election, having participated in the party’s primary election held on May 27.

Emeka also said that the defection of one of the initial three aspirants for the said poll to another political party and becoming the candidate of that other party, among others presented him as the only candidate for the election.

But in her counter affidavit dated and filed Sept. 14 by her lawyer, Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, the lawmaker said she knew that Emeka had waived his right to challenge her nomination.

Ikpeazu argued that the the plaintiff deposed to an affidavit contained in the party primaries screening brief where he declared “to abide by the decisions of the party as final and not subject it to any litigation whatsoever of adjudication by any other body including the court of Law.”

According to Oduah, by the above declaration, the plaintiff undertook to accept the outcome of the screening, the nomination of the 1st defendant and not to subject the party to any litigation whatsoever.

The senator, who averred that Emeka was no longer a member of the PDP, denied making any false deposition as alleged.

“I duly completed my National Youth Service in accordance with the law, and the original of the documents stated in the affidavit were indeed lost as I stated.

“I have equally up until the institution of this suit, not presented any information to the 3rd defendant (INEC) as the candidate of the 2nd defendant for the forthcoming 2023 election for the senate of Anambra North Senatorial District,” she said.

She, therefore, prayed the court to dismiss the suit.

NAN

October 13, 2022
Alleged fraud: AGF gives EFCC go-ahead to prosecute Stella Oduah

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 on alleged N5 billion fraud.

Prosecuting counsel, Hassan Liman, SAN, on Wednesday, informed Justice Inyang Ekwo of a Federal High Court, Abuja at the resumed hearing on the matter.

Newsmen reports that Justice Ekwo had, on May 10, fixed today 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, SAN.

Newsmen reports that Onoja had, on Nov. 22, 2021, raised objection to the defendants taking their plea, informing that a petition had already been written to the AGF, complaining that the defendants were just been persecuted as against prosecution.

The development prompted the court to adjourn to await a response from the AGF.

When the matter was called for the defendants to take their plea, counsel to the EFCC, Mr Liman, informed that the AGF had finally responded to the petition and given a nod in a letter for the matter to proceed.

The senior lawyer said he 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.

Oher 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 China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) Nigeria Ltd.

They are being charged with conspiracy, money laundering and maintaining anonymous bank accounts with a commercial bank.

They will be arraigned on 25-count charge.

October 12, 2022
Declare Stella Oduah unfit as PDP senatorial candidate – Party Chieftain tells court

A PDP Chieftain, Chief John Emeka, on Thursday prayed to a Federal High Court, Abuja to declare that Sen. Stella Oduah is unqualified to contest in the Anambra North Senatorial District seat for the 2023 general elections.

Oduah contested and won the party’s May 27 primary election for Anambra North Senatorial seat.

Emeka, in an originating summons, told Justice Inyang Ekwo that Oduah, in the information she supplied in an affidavit of facts she deposed to on Oct. 23, 2014, as to the loss of her original copy of her NYSC Certificate which she incorporated in her INEC Form CF001 for the said primary, was untrue.

The application, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/841/2022 dated and filed June 8, was brought by his lawyer, Mbanefo Ikwegbue.

Emeka also names the PDP and INEC as defendants.

Oduah currently represents Anambra North Senatorial District at the National Assembly.

Emeka, who was also an aspirant in the primary election, prayed the court for an order, nullifying the lawmaker’s participation in the poll.

He also sought for an order directing the INEC not to recognise the lawmaker as the party’s candidate for the 2023 election.

He further prayed the court for an order, declaring him as the PDP candidate for the Anambra North Senatorial District’s seat for the 2023 poll, having participated in the May 27 election.

Emeka, in the application, alleged that Oduah lied on oath in both her expression of interest and nomination forms, including the INEC Form CFO01.

When the matter was called on Thursday, Emeka’s counsel, Ikwegbue, told Justice Ekwo that Oduah allegedly refused to collect court documents when the bailiff made an attempt to serve her.

But lawyer to Oduah, Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, disagreed with Ikwegbue.

Ikpeazu described the submission as a misconception.

Ikpeazu was consequently served with the documents in the open court following the judge’s directive.

“I am putting this matter for hearing in the next adjourned date.

“There is sufficient time for all the parties to file their processes,” Ekwo said.

The judge, who adjourned the matter until Sept. 26 for hearing, ordered that hearing notices be issued to parties in the suit.

June 24, 2022