THE Federal Government yesterday arraigned before the Code of Conduct Tribunal, a former Minister of Niger Delta, Mr. Godsday Orubebe on a-four count criminal charges bordering on false declaration of assets and bribery.
Orubebe pleaded not guilty to each of the four counts preferred against him by the Code of Conduct Bureau.
However, the trial could not go on following the failure of prosecution to assemble its witnesses.
However, the trial could not go on following the failure of prosecution to assemble its witnesses.
Consequently, chairman of the tribunal, Justice Danladi Umar adjourned till November 26 and admonished the prosecution to make its witnesses available on that date.
In counts one and two, Orubebe was accused of failing to declare his assets at Plot 2722 Kyamu and Plot 2059 in Asokoro District both in Abuja on assumption of office as minister on September 26, 2007.
In count three, he allegedly accepted N50m bribe from one Pastor Jonathan Alota on September 19, 2012 for award of contract in favour of his (Alota’s) company, Chemtronics Nigeria Limited.
In count four, he allegedly accepted additional N20m bribe from Alota in 2013 for the award of a contract to Chemtronics Nigeria Limited for the construction of skill acquisition Centre at Edo State for the sum of N1.8bn.
He is said to have committed the offences of false assets declaration under Section 15 of Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act Cap C15 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
The offence is also said to be contained in paragraph 11(1) & (2) of Part I, Fifth Schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and punishable under Section 23(2) of the Code of Conduct Bureau/Tribunal Act and as incorporated under paragraph 18 of Part 1, Fifth Schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
The bribery offences are said to be contrary to Section 10 of Code of Conduct Bureau/Tribunal Act as incorporated under paragraph 18 of Part 1 Fifth Schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
According to Head, Press and Public Relations of the CCT, Mr. Ibraheem Al-Hassan, in a statement on Friday, the charges were filed on behalf of the office of the Attorney General of the Federation on October 8.
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