The high-profile corruption trial of former Aviation Minister Stella Oduah took a dramatic turn yesterday, February 12, 2026, as she formally approached the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) for a plea bargain. At the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, the lead prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), informed the court that Oduah had submitted an application under Section 270 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015.
This provision allows a defendant to negotiate for a lesser sentence or reduced charges in exchange for a guilty plea or cooperation, effectively signaling a potential shift away from a full-scale trial.
Oduah and her co-defendant, Gloria Odita, were originally scheduled to begin their trial yesterday following their December 2025 arraignment. They face a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretense, and criminal breach of trust.
The government alleges that in 2014, the duo fraudulently obtained ₦2,469,030,738.90 from the Ministry of Aviation by claiming the funds were for “technical supervision” and “security integration” through two private firms, Broad Waters Resources and Global Offshore Marine. While the defendants previously pleaded not guilty, the request for a plea bargain suggests a strategic re-evaluation of their legal defense.
The presiding judge, Justice Hamza Muazu, has adjourned the matter until March 5, 2026, to allow for a progress report on the negotiations. For a plea bargain to be finalized, the AGF must ensure it serves the “interest of justice” and the public, often requiring the defendant to forfeit stolen assets or provide information that leads to the conviction of other conspirators.
This case is part of a broader legal battle for Oduah, who is also facing a separate ₦5 billion money laundering trial before a different court involving the Chinese firm CCECC.
As the March deadline approaches, all eyes are on Attorney-General Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) to see if the government will accept the terms or insist on a full trial to secure a conviction. The outcome of these talks could set a major precedent for how the Tinubu administration handles high-profile “legacy” corruption cases.
 for a plea bargain. At the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, the lead prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), informed the court that Oduah had submitted an application under Section 270 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015.){kind=link}