A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) to take over the N5 billion suit the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) preferred against a former Minister of Aviation, Sen. Stella Oduah, and others after their arraignment.

Justice Inyang Ekwo, who gave the order shortly after the defendants took their non-guilty plea on Friday, July 21, 2023, said the order was necessary in view of the controversy the case had generated since instituted.

Justice Ekwo had, on June 15, ordered the EFCC to fish out persons behind breaching his privacy through text messages on his phone and another group who petitioned the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) regarding the ongoing suit.

The judge also directed the deputy chief registrar of the Federal High Court in charge of Litigation to liaise with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) to obtain the identities of the promoters of the organisation for the purpose of bringing them to the court, saying the sanctity of the court must be maintained.

The development had stalled the arraignment of the defendants, as the judge insisted that the anti-graft agency must produce the people behind such action in court.

Oduah, who represented Anambra North Senatorial District at the 9th National Assembly, is being charged alongside Gloria Odita, Nwosu Emmanuel Nnamdi, and Chukwuma Irene Chinyere.

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Others include Global Offshore and Marine Limited, Tip Top Global Resources Limited, Crystal Television Limited, and Sobora International Limited.

Oduah was arraigned on alleged N5 billion fraud and financial misappropriation while serving as minister during former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

In the 25-count charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/316/2020, they are accused of conspiracy, money laundering, and maintaining anonymous bank accounts with a commercial bank.

After the 25-count charge was read to the defendants on Friday, they all pleaded not guilty and the judge admitted them to bail in terms of the administrative bail earlier granted then by the EFCC.

Justice Ekwo then asked EFCC’s lawyer, Offem Uket, about the directive he gave to produce persons behind the action that had earlier stalled the trial.

“I gave you the photocopies of these organisations. Are they here? Did you invite them?” the judge asked, but Uket was unable to give a direct answer to questions asked.

Justice Ekwo added that though he would give a date for trial commencement, the EFCC must invite the affected people.

Justice Ekwo, who adjourned the matter until October 17, 2023, for trial, ordered that in view of the controversy the case had generated, “I make an order that the AGF shall take over this case and the EFCC shall handover the records of proceedings to the office of the AGF.”

The Star