Nigeria, March 26 -- The FCT High Court in Maitama, Abuja, on Thursday, freed former Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, and her co-defendant from N2.5 billion fraud charges following a deal they struck with the Nigerian government.

The court made the pronouncement in a ruling following a report from the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Rotimi Oyedepo, that the defendants had refunded the loot over which they were charged.

He said the federal government had received the amount of money alleged to be stolen in the charges from Ms Oduah and her co-defendant, Gloria Odita.

"I have the instruction of the Attorney-General of the Federation to inform your Lordship that the state confirms receipt of the value of the su...