Former minister of Niger Delta
affairs, Godsday Orubebe has told the federal government that he is ready for
trial and that the case against him should be opened.
The former minister appeared at the Code of Conduct Tribunal in Abuja on
Monday, November 9 to face a four count charge on money laundering.
In a twist of expectation, the prosecutor Mr. Musa
Usman, told the Justice Danladi Umar-led tribunal that his witnesses were not
available and that the matter be adjourned for two weeks to enable him assemble
them.
Vanguard reports that Orubebe’s lawyer, Mr. Larry
Selekeowei, SAN insisted that his client was ready for trial and that the
charges were attempts to soil his reputation. He accused the federal government
of not being serious with the case.
“My lords, we are really surprised that they are not
ready to proceed today (yesterday) despite all the noise they have made for the
past 10 days.
“On our part, we are ready for this trial. Though we
cannot force them to open their case, but looking at the rules of this tribunal,
Rule 5(1) is a part they can fulfil today (yesterday). It clearly
mandates them to disclose the evidence they have against the accused person.
“They can at least clear that part before we get to
the issue of whether they have witnesses or not. If the witnesses are not
here, he should state the evidence. This kind of case should not be for mere
jamboree.”
Justice Danladi berated the federal government for not
producing its witnesses before adjourning the case till Thursday, November 26.
A week ago, Orubebe, raised the alarm that he was being oppressed for his
support to former president Goodluck Jonathan.
Source: naij.com
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