After plea bargain with FG in N2.4bn fraud case, ex-minister Oduah set for senate contest

Just a week after it was announced that former Minister of Aviation, Senator Stella Oduah has entered a plea bargain arrangement with the federal government over allegations of N2.4 billion fraud hanging over her neck, she has declared to run for Senate of the federal Republic of Nigerian.

Oduah, a former minister was also a senator representing Anambra North Senatorial Zone, a seat she won in 2019 as a candidate of People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

She has been standing trial, alongside two other co-defendants in a fraud related case summing up to N2.4billion.

In the last hearing on the matter, prosecuting lawyer and Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), announced before Justice Hamza Muazu of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Maitama that she had entered please bargain and started making refunds to the federal government.

Oyedepo said: “The defendants have made a move to refund a certain amount of the money into the government coffers.”

DPPF director was not specific about the amount the defendants have refunded, but Oduah’s lawyer, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), and Odita’s counsel, Favour Osunaya, confirmed what Oyedepo said.

Surprisingly, days after this announcement, Oduah’s posters announcing her intention to run for Senate has flooded parts of Anambra State and the internet space.

It was also learnt that Oduah has already oiled her political machinery, with plans to use the Anambra State rulling party, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) as a vehicle to accomplish her ambition.

She had previously attempted to run for the same position in 2023 on the platform of APGA,but later rescinded the decision after she found that wife of them governor of the state, Mrs Ebele Obiano was in the race on same party platform.

This time, the former minister is out, and she will be challenging two top members of the party for the ticket. They are Mr Primus Odili, the former Chief of Staff to Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, who is condidered the most popular and acceptable, and Dr Alex Obiogbolu, Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s Special Adviser on Political Matters.

THE RAZOR was however unable to speak with Oduah to confirm her ambition, but sources, including her media supporter who pledged anonymity said: “Madam is preparing big for next year’s election.”