A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama has discharged former Minister of Aviation Stella Oduah and her ex-aide Gloria Odita from a N2.5 billion fraud case, following a plea bargain that saw two companies linked to the ex-minister take full responsibility.
Justice Hamza Muazu made the ruling on Thursday after the prosecution informed the court that it had discontinued its case against Oduah and Odita, filing an amended charge that named only Sobora International Limited and Global Offshore and Marine Limited as defendants.
The amended two-count charge accused Sobora International of unlawfully possessing N838 million and Global Offshore of unlawfully possessing N1.629 billion.
During proceedings, Oduah appeared in court as representative of both firms and pleaded guilty on their behalf.
Following the guilty plea, the prosecution requested that the companies be convicted, wound up, and that the N1.2 billion paid as restitution along with N780 million recovered during the investigation be forfeited to the Federal Government.
Lawyer to the firms, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), raised no objections, and Justice Muazu granted the requests. The court convicted the companies, ordered them wound up, and confirmed the forfeiture of the funds to the FG.
The judge also struck out the original October 13, 2025 charge, which had included the names of Oduah and Odita, effectively clearing them of any wrongdoing in the case.
The discharge marks a legal closure for the former minister and her aide, while the companies face the consequences of the financial restitution and winding-up orders.