BREAKING: EFCC To Arraign Ex-Aviation Minister Stella Oduah Over ‘Financial Impropriety’
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has fixed February 22 for the former Minister of Aviation, Stella Adaeze Oduah and others, to take a plea (plead guilty or not guilty) in the alleged “financial impropriety” charge filed against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The prosecution counsel, Dr. Hassan Niman SAN, told Justice Inyang Ekwo on Tuesday, that the arraignment of Oduah (the Senator representing Anambra North) and others could not proceed because she (first defendant) has not been served with the court processes.
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He then asked for an adjournment, saying “My lord, the matter has been set out today for arraignment, but I have been informed by the Commission that the first defendant is yet to be served; in view of that my lord, may I humbly apply for a very short date.”
On his part, Justice Ekwo, made it clear to the prosecution that it was its duty to produce defendants in court.
“Case adjourned to 22 February 2021 for plea,” he ruled.
Speaking to our correspondent, Niman SAN, said that the commission alleges that the former minister misappropriated public funds while serving in the position of Minister of Aviation.
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“She is not in court because she has not yet been served with the charge.
“The charge is about things that happened while she was the Minister of Aviation, essentially, financial impropriety, that is the allegation against her and some other defendants and companies,” he said.
