Former Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, has begun steps to refund part of the N2.4 billion allegedly linked to fraud charges filed against her.
The update was disclosed on Thursday by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, during the resumed hearing of the case at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja.
Oduah, who served as aviation minister between July 2011 and February 2014, was arraigned on December 10 alongside Gloria Odita on a five-count charge that includes allegations of fraud, obtaining by false pretence and criminal breach of trust. Both defendants pleaded not guilty when the charges were read.
Addressing the court, Oyedepo said the accused persons had initiated moves to return part of the funds to the government.
“The defendants have made a move to refund a certain amount of the money into the government coffers,” he said.
The prosecutor added that the federal government was waiting for confirmation that the bank draft had been received, though he did not specify the exact amount being returned.
Counsel to Oduah, Onyechi Ikpeazu, and the lawyer representing Odita, Favour Osunaya, confirmed that discussions on the refund were ongoing but declined to provide further details.
After hearing the submissions, Justice Hamza Muazu adjourned the matter until March 26 for an update on the progress of the negotiations.
The development follows earlier disclosure by the prosecution and defence that the defendants had applied for a plea bargain with the Attorney-General of the Federation.
Oyedepo previously told the court that Oduah submitted the request under Section 270 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, which provides for plea bargaining in criminal proceedings.
According to him, although the case had been scheduled for trial, the Attorney-General received a request from the first defendant seeking negotiations aimed at resolving the matter.
Under the ACJA, plea bargaining allows an accused person to negotiate with prosecutors—often agreeing to plead guilty to fewer or reduced charges—in exchange for concessions such as a lighter sentence. The law also permits arrangements where the defendant returns proceeds of the alleged crime or provides restitution.
