The Abuja Federal High Court has suspended the trial of a former Minister of Aviation, Senator Stella Adaeze Oduah for a purported N7.9 billion fraud charge brought against her by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Oduah’s arraignment had been scheduled for today, June 15, but had been adjourned by Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo after his life had been reportedly threatened by unknown persons.
One can only ask, will Oduah’s trial continue to be adjourned until the perpetrators are brought to book?
According to reports on how the court proceedings had played out, Justice Ekwo had brought out a publication by a corporate organization, where threats to his life had been printed as a result of his being involved in the trial.
The corporate organization had not been named as at the time of writing this report but a furious Justice Ekwo, had ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, prosecuting Oduah to investigate those behind the corporate body’s actions and bring them before the court.
In as much as the threat to one’s life is a grave and serious offence, I am of the opinion that Justice Ekwo should not have allowed it to come between the already scheduled arraignment of Oduah. One could even say that the alleged publication had come an a very convenient time for Oduah, giving her more time to properly prepare for her trial.
Meanwhile, the counsel to EFCC, Mr Ofem Uket has expressed his regret over the development and has promised to bring the culprits to book.
Trusting the promise of the EFCC, Justice Ekwo, thereafter fixed July 17, for the hearing CAC’s report on the owners of the corporate organization and EFCC’s attempt to scope out the culprits.
Stella Oduah is being charged for conspiracy and money laundering, as well as keeping anonymous bank accounts.
