Attorney-general of the federation (AGF) Abubakar Malami has given a green light to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to continue with the prosecution of former aviation minister, Senator Stella Oduah, and others on alleged N5 billion fraud.
EFCC’s counsel Hassan Liman informed Justice Inyang Ekwo of a Federal High Court, Abuja of the development on Wednesday at the resumed hearing.
Justice Ekwo had on May 10 fixed October 12 for arraignment of the defendants following a letter from the office of the AGF in response to a petition written by counsel to the eighth defendant in the suit, Ogbu James that Oduah and others were just being persecuted.
Liman said he no fewer than 32 witnesses lined up to testify in the suit.
The judge, who ordered an accelerated hearing in the trial, directed all parties to put their house in order.
Ekwo said the trial would be on a day-to-day basis and adjourned until February 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17, 2023 for hearing.
Oduah, who currently represents Anambra North Senatorial District at the National Assembly, is expected to be arraigned by the EFCC on alleged N5 billion fraud and financial misappropriation.
Other defendants in the charge, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/316/2020, are Gloria Odita, Nwosu Emmanuel Nnamdi and Chukwuma Irene Chinyere.
They also include Global Offshore and Marine Ltd, Tip Top Global Resources Ltd, Crystal Television Ltd, Sobora International Ltd and China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) Nigeria Ltd.
They are being charged with conspiracy, money laundering and maintaining anonymous bank accounts with a commercial bank.
They will be arraigned on 25 count charges.
