The Center for Justice and Accountability has commended the federal government’s adoption of the plea bargain option in the resolution of the ₦2.5 billion fraud case involving a former aviation minister, Senator Stella Oduah.
The former minister was discharged by the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory sitting in Maitama, Abuja, presided over by Justice Hamza Muazu, after the prosecution, acting through the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, informed the court that the matter had been discontinued pursuant to the plea bargain reached with the defendants.
CJA, in a statement signed by Comrade Ochiaga Jude, praised the government for embracing what it described as “a practical legal pathway that preserves judicial time, reduces prolonged litigation costs, and ensures that public interest remains protected.”
The statement also lauded the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, which according to the centre, pursued a resolution that reflected both accountability and procedural efficiency.
The centre noted that in a justice system where court dockets remain heavily burdened, plea bargain arrangements, when transparently managed, could help redirect scarce judicial resources toward other pressing national cases.
“We also commend the court for handling the matter with professionalism and constitutional restraint, ensuring that due process prevailed throughout the proceedings. The maturity shown by all parties in arriving at a lawful conclusion deserves recognition because justice is not only measured by punishment, but also by lawful restitution, closure, and institutional efficiency.
“At the same time, the centre acknowledges the long record of public service rendered by Senator Stella Oduah over several decades in national development, both in public administration and legislative service. Her tenure in public life, including service in the aviation sector and at the National Assembly, remains part of Nigeria’s democratic history, and it is our considered view that every citizen is entitled to the benefit of lawful judicial outcomes as pronounced by competent courts,” the statement read in part.
