Former Aviation Minister, Stella Oduah and eight others may be arrested if they fail to appear in court by the next summons.
The threat was issued on Monday by Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.
The judge gave the warning as the defendants were absent from court with no explanation from their lawyers.
Besides Oduah, other defendants in the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/316/2020 are:
- Gloria Odita
- Nwosu Emmanuel Nnamdi
- Chukwuma Irene Chinyere
- Global Offshore and Marine Ltd
- Tip Top Global Resources Ltd
- Crystal Television Ltd
- Sabora International Ltd
- China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) Nigeria Ltd
The 9 defendants are accused among others of engaging in the laundering of about N10 billion in a 25-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
They are particularly charged with conspiracy, many laundering and maintaining anornymous bank accounts with an old generation bank.
However, at Monday’s hearing, only the second and the third defendants, Gloria Odita and Emmanuel Nnamdi were present.
The prosecuting lawyer, Hassan Liman (SAN) complained to the judge about the absence of the other defendants within no explanation.
Stella Oduah was a Nigerian Senator and former Minister of Aviation. She
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Stella Oduah