The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has successfully arraigned a former Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, and Chinese construction giant, CCECC, on N5 billion fraud charges that were filed against them in December 2020.
The arraignment comes after more than two and a half years of failed attempts and numerous postponements.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that EFCC arraigned Ms Oduah, who represented Anambra North Senatorial District in the 9th Senate, and CCECC, alongside seven others, on Friday.
All the defendants pleaded not guilty to the 25 money laundering charges, which they allegedly committed between 31 March and 6 June 2014.
Alongside Ms Oduah, CCECC Nigeria Ltd, the Nigerian subsidiary of China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) established by the Chinese government to execute international contracts and economic cooperation, is one of the leading defendants fingered in the case.
Another of the co-defendants is Gloria Odita (2nd defendant), who is said to be an aide to Ms Oduah when she was Minister of Aviation and company secretary of Sea Petroleum & Gas Company (SPGC) Limited, a firm founded by the former minister.
The rest include an employee of SPCG and aide to Ms Oduah, Nwobu Nnamdi (3rd defendant), Chukwuma Chinyere, Global Offshore and Marine Ltd, Tip Top Global Resources Ltd, Crystal Television Limited, and Sobora International Limited.
Premium Times and Good Evening Nigeria