Former Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah is in trouble as a Federal High Court in Abuja has threatened to issue a warrant of arrest against her if she failed to appear in court by the next adjourned date.
Justice Inyang Ekwo issued the warning on Monday, July 12th, 2021 after Dr Hassan Liman, counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the alleged N5 billion trial against the former minister and eight others.
The EFCC lawyer told the court that Stella Oduah and one of the other defendants were not in court to take their plea.
However, sources disclosed that the court had before now fixed February 9 for the arraignment of the former minister and eight others.
The source added that because Oduah was not served with the court processes then, the arraignment could not continue.
Besides, the court had also fixed April 19 for the arraignment but due to the strike by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), the matter could not also hold.
For those who don’t know, Stella Oduah is facing a fraud charge alongside others in a suit with number: FHC/ABJ/CR/316/20.
The EFCC is accusing Stella Oduah of misappropriating public funds to the tune of N5 billion while serving as Minister of Aviation.
According to the EFCC lawyer; “On Feb. 22, 2020, my lord made an order of substituted service on the 5th and 6th defendants in the trial. We have carried out the order my lord.”
Meanwhile, the matter has been adjourned until October 19 for arraignment and trial.
