Abubakar Malami, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice has ordered that Stella Oduah, a former Minister of Aviation, who is currently a senator, be arraigned over her suspected involvement in N7.9 billion worth of money laundering activities.
In a letter to the Federal High Court in Abuja, where the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had filed a complaint against Oduah and others, Malami issued the directive.
The charge also lists Gloria Odita, Nwosu Emmanuel Nnamdi, Chukwuma Irene Chinyere, Global Offshore, and Marine Limited, Tip Top Global Resources Limited, Crystal Television Limited, and Sobora International Limited as defendants.
They are accused of conspiring, using anonymous accounts to launder money, and maintaining those accounts.
Although the charges were brought last year, the defendants’ arraignment had been postponed due to a petition by counsel to Crystal Television, Ogwu Onoja (SAN), to Malami, and the AGF asking for time to review the case file and offer his opinion.
Offem Uket, the prosecuting counsel, told the court of the existence of Malami’s written opinion when the issue was brought up on Wednesday.
He claimed that Malami had requested in a letter that Oduah and other defendants be tried based on the already-filed charge.
The defendant’s arraignment was postponed until February 13 of next year by Justice Inyang Ekwo in light of the development.