The Federal High Court, Abuja has moved the trial of the former Minister of Aviation, Sen. Stella Oduah, and others over the alleged N5 billion fraud to June 5 for arraignment.
The trial, which was scheduled to begin on Monday, could not continue.
A check in the court by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) shows that this matter is not on the list of causes for the day.
In addition, neither the prosecuting attorney nor the attorney was present in court.
NAN, however, gathered that the hearing has been fixed on June 5, June 6, June 7, June 8 and June 9, but could not ascertain the real reason for the postponement, although the election issue has recently dominated matters in court.
NAN, on October 12, 2022, reported that the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and the Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, have given the approval of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to prosecute the former minister on bordering charges. in fraud.
The prosecuting counsel, Hassan Liman, SAN, has informed Judge Inyang Ekwo at the rehearing of the matter.
Justice Ekwo has set a date of October 12, 2022, for the arraignment of the defendants following a letter from the AGF’s office in response to the petition. written by counsel for the 8th defendant in the suit, Ogbu James, SAN.
NAN reported that Onoja, on November 22, 2021, objected to the defendants who pleaded for their plea, telling them that a petition had been written to the AGF, complaining that the defendants were only being persecuted instead of being prosecuted.
The development prompted the court to adjourn pending a response from the AGF.
When the matter was called for the defendants to take their pleas, the EFCC counsel, Mr. Liman, disclosed that the AGF finally responded to the petition and gave his approval in letter for the matter to proceed.
The senior lawyer said that no fewer than 32 witnesses have been lined up to testify in the suit.
Lawyers for all the defendants, including Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, who appeared for the senator, acknowledged receiving the letter from the AGF.
The judge, who ordered an expedited hearing in the trial, ordered all parties to put their houses in order. , February 15, February 16 and February 17 for hearings.
Oduah, who currently represents Anambra North Senatorial District in the National Assembly, is expected to be arraigned by the EFCC over alleged N5 billion fraud and financial misappropriation.
The other defendants charged, 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.
He was charged with conspiracy, money laundering and maintaining an anonymous bank account with a commercial bank.
He will be tried on a 25-count charge.