Orubebe Arraigned For False Asset Declaration

Case adjourned to November 26

A former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe, was on Monday arraigned by the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) on a four-count charge of false declaration of assets and acceptance of about N70 million bribe.

Orubebe, who entered the courtroom at few minutes to 11:00am, was ordered to enter the dock by the chairman of the tribunal, Justice Danladi Umar.

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 29, 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  September 26, 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.”

The ex-minister pleaded not guilty to all the charges brought against him.

The prosecution counsel, Ibrahim Usman, later asked the tribunal for adjournment because his witnesses were not in court.

The defence counsel, Selekeowe Larry, asked the tribunal to demand a statement of necessary evidences, according to rule 5 subsection 1, of the rules of the tribunal.

Justice Danladi frowned at the failure of the prosecutor to produce the witnesses.

He adjourned the case to November 26 for definite hearing.