A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) sitting in Maitama on Thursday discharged former Minister of Aviation Stella Oduah and her ex-aide, Gloria Odita, from the alleged N2.5billion fraud case brought against them by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (OAGF).

Justice Hamza Muazu issued the discharge order after the prosecution informed the court it had discontinued its case against them and filed an amended charge naming only two firms linked to the ex-minister as defendants.

The firms are Sobora International Limited and Global Offshore and Marine Limited.

When the case was first called in the morning, prosecuting lawyer, Rotimi Oyedepo ( SAN) told the court that based on plea bargain talks between parties, the prosecution had filed an amended charge.

When the issue of representation for the firms arose, lawyers for the parties sought time to address it, following which the judge stood down proceedings until later in the day.

In the amended two-count charge, Sobora International was accused of unlawfully possessing N838 million, while Global Offshore was alleged to have unlawfully possessed N1.629 billion.

When the case was recalled in the afternoon, the ex-minister stood as the representative of both firms and pleaded guilty, on their behalf, to the amended charge.

Following the guilty plea entered for the two firms, Oyedepo urged the court to convict them and issue an order winding them up.

Oyedepo also urged the court to order the forfeiture of N1.2 billion, paid as restitution by the companies (as detailed in a bank draft submitted to the court), and N780 million recovered by investigators during the investigation, to the Federal Government.Lawyer to the companies, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), did not object to Oyedepo’s requests, which the judge granted in his ruling.

Justice Muazu convicted the companies based on their guilty plea, issued an order winding them up, and further ordered that the N1.2 billion paid as restitution and the N780 million recovered during the investigation be forfeited to the FG

In picture: Chairman of the Nigeria Police Force committee on State Police, Professor Olu Ogunsakin, presents on behalf of IGP, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, a framework for the establishment of State Police to the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, at the National Assembly, Abuja, on Thursday. Photo: DPS Media Office.

The Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has submitted a framework for the establishment of State Police to the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, as part of efforts to decentralise policing in Nigeria.

In a statement by Ismail Mudashir, the Special Adviser on media and publicity to the Deputy President of the Senate on Thursday, the 75-page report, titled “A comprehensive framework for the establishment, governance and coordination of Federal and State Police,” was presented to Jibrin at his office in the National Assembly by Professor Olu Ogunsakin, chairman of the Nigeria Police Force committee set up to examine the modalities for instituting State Police.

Disu said that the report covers the considered views, professional insights and strategic recommendations of the Force, derived from extensive consultations and a careful assessment of the operational, legal and administrative implications of instituting State Police in Nigeria.

“It is our expectation that the contents of this report will meaningfully contribute to ongoing deliberations and assist in shaping informed, balanced, and pragmatic decisions on this critical aspect of national security architecture,” he said

The IGP emphasised that the framework was forwarded to the Chairman and the Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution “as the Nigeria Police Force’s input on the subject matter.”

In response , Senator Jibrin commended the IGP for his proactive approach on the establishment of the state police in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s agenda to fully secure the country.

He assured that the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution “will look at the framework, along with all other memos submitted to it, for the review of the country’s grundnorm.

”The framework is expected to provide guidance on the proposed modus operandi, governance, and coordination of State Police, marking a major step in ongoing discussions to restructure Nigeria’s policing system.

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio has confirmed legislative and political support for the establishment of Anioma State.

Akpabio made this known on Wednesday at the All Progressives conference’s (APC) south-south zonal conference in Asaba, Delta state.

The Senate President stated that the President Bola Tinubu administration remains dedicated to the effort.

Akpabio said that if Anioma is established, Warri will serve as the capital of the new Delta state.

He said Warri already has key infrastructure, including an airport, government offices, major oil companies, a seaport, and a stadium.

Akpabio described the agitation for Anioma state as historically justified, noting that the proposal reflects a long-standing aspiration rooted in equity, administrative efficiency, and balanced development.

The senate president said the initiative, championed by Ned Nwoko, senator representing Delta north, has continued to receive legislative attention.

Akpabio added that the proposal ranks among the priorities of the 10th senate, adding that the creation of Anioma state would come with socio-economic and administrative benefits.

The ex-Akwa Ibom governor said the restructuring would split Delta state into two viable entities and promote decentralisation.

“Anioma state will be created, with Asaba as its capital.

The senate fully supports the initiative spearheaded by Senator Ned Nwoko,” he said.