A federal high court in Abuja has ordered the office of the attorney-general of the federation (AGF) to take over the N5 billion suit filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against Stella Oduah, former aviation minister.
The EFCC alleged that Oduah misappropriated public funds estimated at N5 billion while serving as minister.
The charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/316/2020, was first filed in 2020.
While the case has come up for arraignment many times between 2021 and 2023, it was stalled for several reasons.
Oduah and eight others were arraigned on Friday before Inyang Ekwo, an Abuja federal high court judge.
Other defendants are Gloria Odita; Nwosu Emmanuel Nnamdi; Chukwuma Irene Chinyere; 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.
Upon arraignment, the defendants pleaded not guilty to the 25-count charge bordering on alleged conspiracy, money laundering, and maintaining anonymous accounts with First Bank Plc.
The defendants were granted bail shortly after.
After arraignment, Ekwo, asked the EFCC lawyer about the directive he gave to identify and produce persons who had sent threatening messages to him (the judge).
“I gave you the photocopies of these organisations. Are they here? Did you invite them?” the judge asked,
However, Ofem Uket, the prosecution lawyer, was unable to give a direct answer to the questions.
Ekwo then said while he would give a date for trial commencement, the EFCC must invite the affected people.
“I will give a date for trial and make a consequential order because you have allowed this matter to degenerate this way.
“You think you can shield any of these persons who have interfered in these proceedings?” he asked rhetorically.
“I make an order that the AGF shall take over this case and the EFCC shall hand over the records of proceedings to the office of the AGF,” the judge said in a short ruling.
The matter has been adjourned to October 17 for trial to commence.