Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC has brought forward eight charges against former aviation minister Senator Stella Oduah, including document fabrication and conspiracy to commit a felony. The charges were filed by the Federal Government of Nigeria through the EFCC on June 26, 2023. Senator Stella Oduah served as a representative for the Anambra North Senatorial District from 2015 to 2023.
The charges were filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja by Ochugwu Ogbeh W.A. Esq. and Ibrahim Mohammed Esq. from the Legal and Prosecution Department of the EFCC in Benin City. The court documents obtained from SaharaReporters outline the charges against Senator Oduah.
Count One states that Senator Stella Oduah and D.A. O. Oshinowo conspired in 2017 to create a false document titled “Re: Request for Notional Youth Service Confirmation,” which is a violation of the miscellaneous offenses Act. This offense is punishable under the same Act.
Count Two alleges that Senator Stella Oduah and D.A. O. Oshinowo fabricated an incorrect document titled “Re: Request for National Youth Service Confirmation” with the intent to cause harm. This offense is in violation of the Penal Code Act and punishable under the same Act.
Count Three accuses Senator Stella Oduah of forwarding false credentials, including an affidavit and extract from the police crime diary, to the Federal Government of Nigeria in 2011. This false representation led to her nomination as a cabinet minister and is an offense under the law.
Count Four relates to a similar offense committed by Senator Stella Oduah in 2011, where she forwarded false credentials to the Federal Government of Nigeria, leading to her nomination as a cabinet minister.
Count Five states that in 2014, Senator Stella Oduah forwarded false credentials, including an affidavit and police report, to the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC. These false representations led to her election as a senator representing the Anambra North Senatorial District.
Count Six involves a similar offense committed by Senator Stella Oduah in 2018 when she again forwarded false credentials, including an affidavit and police report, to INEC. This false representation led to her re-election as a senator for the second term representing the Anambra North Senatorial District.
Count Seven accuses Senator Stella Oduah of retaining the sum paid to her as salaries and allowances by the Federal Government of Nigeria, knowing that the funds represent proceeds from her unlawful activities. This offense is in violation of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act.
Count Eight alleges that Senator Stella Oduah obtained salaries and allowances as a minister and senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria between 2011 and 2023, falsely representing her qualifications. This offense is punishable under the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offenses Act.
In May 2022, the National Youth Service Corps NYSC revealed that Senator Stella Oduah did not complete the mandatory one-year NYSC program. This information was disclosed in response to an inquiry by the Concerned Anambra North PDP Stakeholders. The NYSC stated that Oduah absconded after the orientation course and, therefore, was not eligible for the issuance of the certificate of national service.
The NYSC Act provides exemptions from national service for certain categories of individuals, including those above the age of 30 at graduation, individuals who have served in the Armed Forces or the Nigeria Police for more than nine months, individuals who served in intelligence organizations, and those who received national honors before graduation.
The circumstances surrounding Senator Oduah’s failure to complete the NYSC program remain unclear, especially considering the usual scrutiny by agencies such as the Department of State Services DSS during ministerial nominee investigations