The arraignment of a former Minister of Aviation, Senator Stella Oduah over money laundering charges was on Tuesday stalled again at the Federal High Court Abuja.

Oduah, a serving senator representing Anambra North Senatorial district in the Senate, is being prosecuted on a 25-count charge, along 8 other defendants.

The defendants are Gloria Odita, Nwosu Emmanuel Nnamdi, Chukwuma Irene Chinyere, Global Offshore, and Marine Limited, Tip Top Global Resources Limited, Crystal Television Limited, Sobora International Limited, and a foreign construction company.

They were charged with conspiracy and money laundering amounting to the tune of N9.7billion, as well as maintaining anonymous bank accounts.

Oduah was present in court with the other 8 co-defendants, but could not be arraigned following the inability of the Attorney General of the Federation AGF to give a definite go ahead with the arraignment.

At a resumed sitting, the Federal Government's lawyer, Dr Hassan Liman, SAN, tendered a letter from the AGF's office dated May 6, 2022, and demanded that the accused persons be ordered to take their plea, since the charge was filed since December 17, 2020.

However, the trial judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo drew theattention of Liman to paragraph two of the AGF's letter, wherein it was stated that his office was still looking into the issues raised by one of the defendants in the matter.

Justice Ekwo insisted that the AGF be given time to make a definite position in order not to embark on exercise that may be in futility in the end.

Reacting, the defence counsel all agreed with the court that the AGF be given another time to complete his actions on the case file and issue necessary directive.
Meanwhile, the court has adjourned to October 12 and 13 for the defendants to  take plea.