A former Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, has initiated steps to refund part of the alleged N2.4 billion linked to fraud charges filed against her and a co-defendant, as settlement discussions continue with the Federal Government.

The development was disclosed on Thursday at the Federal Capital Territory High Court by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Rotimi Oyedepo.

Oyedepo told the court that the defendants had begun the process of returning part of the funds to government coffers.

“The defendants have made a move to refund a certain amount of the money into the government coffers,” he said, adding that the government was awaiting confirmation of receipt of the bank draft. However, he did not disclose the exact amount that had been refunded.

The defendants, Stella Oduah and Gloria Odita, were present in court but did not address the proceedings directly, leaving their legal representatives to speak on their behalf.

Counsel to Oduah, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), and counsel to Odita, Favour Osunaya, confirmed that discussions on refund were ongoing but declined to provide further details.

Following the submissions, the presiding judge, Justice Hamza Muazu, adjourned the case until March 26 to receive a progress report on the matter.

The latest development comes about three weeks after both the prosecution and defence informed the court that the defendants had submitted a plea bargain application to the Attorney-General of the Federation.

According to Oyedepo, Oduah filed the application in line with Section 270 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, which provides for plea bargaining in criminal proceedings.

He explained that although the matter had been scheduled for trial, the Attorney-General of the Federation received a request from the first defendant seeking negotiations toward a possible resolution of the case.

Under the provisions of the law, 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 permits negotiations where a defendant agrees to return the proceeds of a crime or make restitution.

Oduah and Odita were arraigned in December 2025 on a five-count charge bordering on alleged fraud, obtaining by false pretence, and criminal breach of trust involving N2.4 billion from the Federal Ministry of Aviation through two companies. Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Stella Oduah served as Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation from July 2, 2011, to February 12, 2014.