ABUJA – Justice Danladi Umar-led panel has berated the Federal
Government for not producing witnesses against Orubebe, this came as the
Federal Government, this morning, docked the erstwhile Minister of Niger Delta
Affairs, Elder Godsday Peter Orubebe, before the Code of Conduct Tribunal
sitting in Abuja on a four-count criminal charge bordering on money laundering
and alleged bribery to the tune of N70milion.
Orubebe mounted the accused box at exactly 10: 50am, after
which he pleaded not guilty to the charge which was read to him by clerk of the
CCT.
Meantime, the prosecuting counsel, Mr. Musa Ibrahim Usman, told the tribunal that his witnesses were not available, even as he applied for two weeks adjournment to enable him to assemble them.
His application infuriated the defence counsel, Mr. Larry
Selekeowei, SAN, who accused FG of not being serious with the prosecution of
the case.
“My lords we are really surprised that they are not ready to
proceed today despite all the noise and heavy weather they have made for the
past 10 days. On our part, we are ready for the trial”, he added.
Besides, he applied that the accused person be granted bail on
self recognition, a request that was granted by the tribunal.
Before adjourning the case till November 26 for definite
hearing, the Justice Danladi Umar-led panel, berated FG for not producing
witnesses against Orubebe today.
According to Justice Danladi, “I am not happy that the witnesses
are not here today. The prosecution had ample time to assemble its witnesses
but failed to do so. I want you to take this case very serious.
“The purpose of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act is to
treat criminal matter of this nature with dispatch. We don’t need to be coming
here to adjourn this matter indefinitely or unnecessarily. When you come here,
you must come for business”, Justice Danladi added.
The charge against Orubebe, read: “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.
“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.
“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.
“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 (₦ 1,799,914,251.88K) and you thereby committed an
offence contrary to Section 10 of CCB & T Act”.
Source: Vanguard
Post a Comment