Stella Oduah, ex-minister of aviation, has initiated steps to refund part of the N2.4 billion allegedly linked to fraud charges filed against her.
Rotimi Oyedepo, director of public prosecution of the federation (DPPF), relayed this on Thursday at the resumed court session before the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) high court in Maitama, Abuja.
Oduah, who served as minister of aviation from July 2011 to February 2014, was arraigned on December 10 alongside Gloria Odita, on a five-count charge bordering on alleged fraud, obtaining by false pretence, and criminal breach of trust.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Oyedepo told the court that the defendants had begun the process of returning some of the funds to the government.
“The defendants have made a move to refund a certain amount of the money into the government coffers,” he said.
He added that the federal government was awaiting confirmation that the bank draft had been received but did not state the exact amount involved.
Onyechi Ikpeazu, counsel to Oduah; and Favour Osunaya, counsel to Odita; acknowledged the development but declined to disclose further details about the refund.
Following the submissions, Hamza Muazu, presiding judge, adjourned the matter until March 26 to receive a progress report on the discussions.
The development comes weeks after the prosecution and defence informed the court that the defendants had applied for a plea bargain with the attorney-general of the federation (AGF).
Oyedepo had earlier said Oduah filed the application under section 270 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, which allows plea bargaining in criminal cases.
According to him, although the case was scheduled for trial, the AGF received a request from the first defendant seeking negotiations towards resolving the matter.
Under the ACJA, plea bargaining allows a defendant to negotiate with the prosecution, often agreeing to plead guilty to reduced charges or fewer counts in exchange for concessions such as a lighter sentence.
The law also allows for negotiations where a defendant agrees to return the proceeds of a crime or make restitution.
