The trial of former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe by the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) over alleged four count charge of false declaration of assets and acceptance of about N70million bribe, began on Monday in Abuja.
Although he denies all the charges, the ex-minister was directed Justice Danladi Umar, the chairman of the Tribunal, to enter the accused box immediately he entered the courtroom Monday morning.
The four-count charge was filed on behalf of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) by Peter Danladi of the CCB on October 8, 2015.
Count one reads: “That you, Godsday Peter Orubebe, while being a Minister of Federal Republic of Nigeria in charge of Niger Delta Affairs, on or about June 29th 2011 did make a false declaration in your asset declaration form by failing to declare plot 2722 Kyamu District Abuja on assumption of office on 26th September 2007 and on leaving office (at the end of your tenure), on June 29, 2011 and you thereby committed an offence under section 15 of Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act Cap C15 and as incorporated under paragraph 11(1) & (2) of Part 1, Fifth Schedule to the Constitution and punishable under section 23(2) of the CCB & T Act.
Count two: “That you Godsday Peter Orubebe, while being a Minister of Federal Republic of Nigeria in charge of Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, on or about June 29, 2011 did make a false declaration in your asset declaration form by failing to declare plot 2059 Asokoro district, Abuja on assumption of office on September 26, 2007 and on June 29, 2011 and you thereby committed an offence under section 15 of the CCB & T Act, and punishable under section 23 (2) of the CCB & T Act.
Count three: “That you Godsday Peter Orubebe while being a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in charge of Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs on or about September 19, 2012 asked for and accepted the sum of fifty million naira from one Pastor (Dr) Jonathan Alota, as bribe for the contract awarded in favour of his company, Chemtronics Nigeria Limited and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 10 of the CCB & T Act, and punishable under Section 23 (2) of CCB & T Act.
Count four: “That you Godsday Orubebe, while being a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in charge of Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, on or about 2013 asked for and accepted the sum of twenty million naira from one Pastor (Dr.) Jonathan Alota as additional bribe for the contract awarded in favour of his company Chemtronics Nigeria Limited for the construction of skill acquisition Centre at Edo State for the sum of one billion seven hundred and ninety nine million, nine hundred and fourteen thousand two hundred and fifty naira eighty eight kobo only (N 1,799,914,251.88K) and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 10 of CCB & T Act”.
After pleading not guilty to all the charges brought against him, the counsel to the prosecution, Ibrahim Usman, told the tribunal that he would like to request an adjournment since his witnesses were not in court.
The defence counsel, Selekeowe Larry, immediately prayed the tribunal to demand a statement of necessary evidences, according to rule 5 subsection 1, of the rules of the tribunal.
Justice Danladi after listening to the arguments of both counsels, said the matter brought before the tribunal for determination was not for the prosecution counsel to state the evidence but for them to produce the said witnesses to do so.
He, however, took exception to the prosecution’s inability to produce its witnesses.
The request by Mr. Larry to have his client released on bail was not granted, as Mr. Danladi said the tribunal had no reason to discuss his arrest or bail.
He said Mr. Orubebe was expected to always appear before the court and adjourned till 26 November for a definite hearing.
The post Orubebe Docked At CCT Over Alleged False Assets Declaration, N70m Bribery •Trial Adjourned To Nov. 26 appeared first on Hot Update Nigeria.
from Hot Update Nigeria
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