Former Aviation Minister, Senator Stella Oduah’s planned arraignment took an unexpected turn as the court ordered an investigation into the prosecution counsel, Ibrahim Mohammed, who filed the charges against her.
The charges against Oduah, which include perjury and document falsification, were scheduled to be presented before the court. However, Justice James Omotoso intervened and ordered an investigation into the conduct of the prosecution counsel, Ibrahim Mohammed.
During the court proceedings, Mohammed, representing the Nigeria Police Force, informed the court that the defendant could not be served due to her alleged indisposition. This raised questions from the judge regarding the signatory of the charges and the prosecutor’s affiliation with the EFCC and the police.
In response, Mohammed revealed that he had left the EFCC in November 2022 and resumed work at the legal department of the police headquarters in January 2023. The judge expressed skepticism and ordered an investigation into the matter, questioning the credibility of the prosecutor’s statements. The judge also stated that Mohammed should report to the EFCC immediately.
The charges against Oduah allege that she misrepresented her participation in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and falsified documents to secure public offices as a minister and a senator. The charges also implicate an individual identified as D. A. O. Oshinowo, who is currently at large.
The counts in the charge include fabricating false documents with the intent to deceive and cause harm, as well as submitting false credentials to the Federal Government of Nigeria. These actions, if proven, would constitute offenses under the Penal Code Act.