The trial of former Aviation Minister, Stella Oduah, and CCECC on corruption charges amounting to N7.9 billion is set to begin on October 17th.

A comprehensive trial of former Minister of Aviation, Senator Stella Adaeze Oduah, and China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) is set to begin at a Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday, October 17, initiated by the federal government.

The charges against Mrs. Oduah and the China Construction giant revolve around alleged financial improprieties, money laundering, and bribery amounting to a staggering N7.9 billion. Specifically, CCECC is accused of bribing Federal Government officials with substantial sums transferred from various bank accounts to beneficiaries involved in the scheme to secure government contracts.

Senator Oduah, meanwhile, faces prosecution for purportedly accepting money from CCECC during her tenure as Minister of Aviation.

The Federal High Court’s cause list, disclosed on Monday, confirms that the full-scale trial will be presided over by Justice Inyang Eden Ekwo in Abuja on October 17. Notably, this time, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice will oversee and conduct the proceedings, in response to the court’s directive.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which initially handled the case, has been instructed to withdraw from the trial due to allegations of unlawful practices that led to delays lasting over two years.

On July 21, 2023, Mrs. Oduah and eight co-defendants pleaded not guilty to the N7.9 billion fraud charges filed by the EFCC. These charges were brought before Justice Inyang Ekwo of a Federal High Court in Abuja and comprised 25 counts relating to money laundering.

In the case, Senator Oduah and three others – Gloria Odita, Nwobu Emmanuel Nnamdi, and Irene Chukwuma, along with five companies, Global Offshore and Marine Limited, Tiptop Global Resources Limited, Crystal Television Limited, Sobora International Limited, and China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) – were accused of conspiracy, money laundering, and the operation of undisclosed bank accounts with a commercial bank.

This legal action is based on serious allegations, such as the charge in Count 1, which states that the defendants conspired to commit money laundering. In Count 5, it is alleged that Senator Oduah took control of a substantial sum, which was then deposited into the account of Global Offshore and Marine Ltd, with the proceeds considered to be from an unlawful act.

The defendants had entered a plea of not guilty during their initial appearance in court.

Justice Ekwo granted them bail on the conditions set by the EFCC and scheduled the trial to commence on October 17.

This case has experienced numerous delays and complications, including the defendants’ unavailability in court and requests for adjournments based on settlement negotiations made by their legal counsel.