The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has issued a directive for the arraignment of former Minister of Aviation, now a serving Senator Stella Oduah over her alleged involvement in N7.9billion money laundering activities.
Malami’s directive is contained in a letter he sent to the Federal High Court, Abuja, before which a charge had been filed against Oduah and others by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Other defendants named in the charge are 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.
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They are charged with conspiracy, money laundering, and maintaining anonymous bank accounts.
Although the charge was filed last year, the arraignment of the defendants had been stalled following a petition by lawyer to Crystal Television, Ogwu Onoja (SAN) to the Malami and his (Malami’s) request to be allowed to study the case file and make available his opinion.
At the mention of the case on Wednesday, prosecuting lawyer, Offem Uket informed the court about the availability of the written opinion by Malami.
He said the letter by Malami was to the effect that Oduah and others be arraigned based on the already filed charge.
In view of the development, Justice Inyang Ekwo adjourned till February 13 next year for the defendant’s arraignment.