Oduah Eyes Senate Comeback After Plea Bargain in N2.4bn Alleged Fraud

By Momodu Favour

Former Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, is reportedly preparing for a return to the Senate after entering into a plea bargain with the federal government over an alleged N2.4 billion fraud case.

Oduah, who previously represented Anambra North Senatorial District in the Senate after winning the 2019 election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has been standing trial alongside two other defendants over the alleged financial misconduct.

At the last hearing of the case before Justice Hamza Muazu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, the prosecuting counsel and Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), informed the court that the defendants had opted for a plea bargain arrangement and had begun refunding part of the money involved to the federal government.

According to Oyedepo, the move was part of efforts to resolve the case.

“The defendants have made a move to refund a certain amount of the money into the government coffers,” he told the court.

Although the prosecution did not disclose the exact amount already refunded, Oduah’s counsel, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), as well as the lawyer representing one of the co-defendants, Favour Osunaya, confirmed that the plea bargain process was underway.

Oduah had earlier served as Minister of Aviation under former President Goodluck Jonathan before later moving to the National Assembly where she represented Anambra North from 2019.

However, shortly after news of the plea bargain emerged, campaign posters announcing Oduah’s intention to return to the Senate began appearing in parts of Anambra State and circulating widely across social media platforms.

The development has sparked reactions among political observers and residents, with many closely watching whether the former minister will formally declare her candidacy for the senatorial seat ahead of the next electoral cycle.

The case against Oduah centres on allegations of financial misappropriation amounting to N2.4 billion, which prosecutors say occurred during her tenure in public office.

With the plea bargain process now underway and partial refunds reportedly made, the court is expected to determine the next steps in the legal proceedings in the coming hearings.