FCT High Court discharges Stella Oduah and Gloria Odita after plea bargain and restitution
The Facts
- The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, discharged Stella Oduah and Gloria Odita on Thursday.
- The discharge followed the prosecution's statement that the case had been discontinued under a plea bargain arrangement.
- Prosecutors told the court that funds linked to the allegations had been refunded or recovered by the Federal Government.
- The prosecution filed an amended charge that removed Oduah and Odita and left two companies as defendants: Sobora International Limited and Global Offshore and Marine Limited.
- Several reports say the two companies entered guilty pleas and were convicted by the court.
- Some reports say the court ordered forfeiture or restitution tied to the companies, including an amount of N1.98 billion in one account of the case.
Context
Why were Stella Oduah and Gloria Odita discharged?
Reports say the prosecution told the court it had discontinued the case after a plea bargain and after the government confirmed recovery or refund of the disputed funds Punch Newspapers,Premium Times Niger…,Businessday NG.
What happened to the companies mentioned in the amended charge?
Multiple reports say the amended charge kept Sobora International Limited and Global Offshore and Marine Limited as defendants, and that the companies entered guilty pleas and were convicted Latest Nigeria News…,Nairametrics,Blueprint Newspaper…,Nigerian Observer.
What was the case about?
The reports describe it as a multi-billion-naira fraud case brought by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, with figures in the coverage ranging from about N2.4 billion to N2.5 billion Latest Nigeria News…,P.M. News,Th Eagle Online,Latest Nigeria News….
The receipts — all 28 sources
Wire services (7)
Independent coverage (21)
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