A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has adjourned the trial of a former Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, and China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation over an alleged N7.9bn fraud.
The trial on the case was billed for October 17, 2023, however, the court adjourned the matter till November 14.
The court stated that it lacked time to accommodate the trial.
Oduah was not present in court and no reason was given for her absence but her lawyer and that of the FG were present.
Oduah and the China Construction giant are facing prosecution on alleged crimes of fraud, money laundering, and bribery running into N7.9bn.
In the 25-count charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/316/2020, they were accused of conspiracy, money laundering, and maintaining anonymous bank accounts with a commercial bank.
Part of the charges reads, “That you China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation CCECC, between March 31 and April 1, 2014, at Abuja directly transferred N500M from your account No. 0023880295 with Guaranty Trust Bank to a private banking nominee account no. 2024414450 domicile with First Bank which money you reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceed of an unlawful act to wit; fraud and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 15(2) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011 and punishable under section 15 (4) of the same Act.
“That you China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation CCECC, between March 5 and May 30, 2014, in Abuja directly transferred N868.4 M from your account with Zenith Bank to a Private Banking Nominee account no.2024414450 domicile with First Bank which money you reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceed of an unlawful act to wit; fraud and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 15(2) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011 and punishable under section 15 (4) of the same Act.”
Oduah and eight others pleaded not guilty to the charges after they were arraigned on July 21, 2023.
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