Former Aviation Minister Stella Oduah has begun taking steps to return part of the alleged looted funds to the Nigerian government as settlement talks continue over the N2.5 billion fraud charges against her and her co-defendant.
The Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Rotimi Oyedepo, told the FCT High Court in Maitama, Abuja, on Thursday that Oduah is making the repayment alongside her co-defendant, Gloria Odita.
“The defendants have made a move to refund a certain amount of the money into the government coffers,” the DPPF, who is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), said.
Although Mr Oyedepo did not disclose the amount refunded so far, he said what is left “is the confirmation of receipt of the bank draft by the government.”
The defence lawyers, Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, for Ms. Oduah, and Favour Osunaya for Ms. Odita, confirmed Mr. Oyedepo’s update but declined to provide additional details regarding the refund.
Both Ms. Oduah and her co-defendant were present in court on Thursday, remaining silent and leaving all statements to their legal representatives.
After hearing the lawyers’ submissions, the trial judge, Hamza Muazu, adjourned until 26 March to receive a status report.