The arraignment of a former Minister of Aviation, Senator Stella Oduah, at the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Monday, could not commence owing to the inability of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to serve two of the defendants in the matter.
Although the former minister was in court, her arraignment was adjourned till April 19 to enable the anti-graft agency serve the two defendants.
The 25-count charge filed against the former minister and eight others by the EFCC on December, 17, 2020 partained to fraudulent diversion of funds through the operation of anonymous bank accounts.
At the resumption of the matter on Monday, the prosecutor, Hassan Liman told the court that the EFCC had been unable to serve the charges on Global Offshore and Marine Ltd and Tip Top Global Resources Limited (5th and 6th defendants respectively).
He therefore prayed the court for adjournment to enable the agency serve the two corporate bodies. Justice Inyang Ekwo therefore fixed April 19, 2021, for the arraignment.
Earlier, Justice Ekwo had fixed February 22 for the arraignment because the former Minister (1st defendant) was yet to be served with the court processes when the case came up on February 9, 2021.
Senator Oduah, who was minister during the tenure of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan as President, was sacked in February 2014, following a scandal over N255million armoured cars which she allegedly compelled the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), to buy for her at inflated cost. She is currently the Senator representating Anambra North Senatorial District at the National Assembly.