Nigerian Government Sues Ex-Aviation Minister, Stella Oduah Over Alleged Document Fabrication, Conspiracy To Commit Felony, Others

Former aviation minister Senator Stella Oduah has been charged by Nigeria’s anti-corruption agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), with eight counts of document fabrication, conspiracy to commit a felony, and other offenses. The charges were filed by the EFCC on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The court documents obtained by SaharaReporters outline the specific charges against Oduah. They include allegations of conspiring to create false documents, fabricating incorrect documents with the intent to cause harm, providing false representations about the loss of her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate, and retaining salaries and allowances obtained through unlawful activities. The charges also highlight Oduah’s alleged fraudulent representations made to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) regarding the loss of her NYSC certificate in order to secure her election as a senator.

The controversy surrounding Oduah’s NYSC certificate came to light in May 2022 when the NYSC disclosed that she did not complete the mandatory one-year NYSC program. In response to an inquiry from concerned stakeholders, the NYSC confirmed that Oduah absconded after the orientation course and never completed the national service. The agency stated that she was therefore not eligible for the issuance of the certificate of national service.

The revelation of Oduah’s failure to complete her NYSC service raises questions about how this information went unnoticed during the vetting process for ministerial nominees, which typically involves scrutiny by agencies such as the Department of State Services (DSS).

The legal proceedings against Oduah will shed further light on the allegations against her and determine her legal responsibility regarding the charges brought by the EFCC.

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