Orubebe’s lawyer ‘does an Orubebe’ at CCT

Selekeowei Larry, counsel to Godsday Orubebe, former minister of Niger Delta affairs, on Wednesday, put on a display of aggression at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

Larry tussled verbally with Danladi Umar, chairman of the CCT, when Umar said that he would only give him 30 minutes to cross-examine a witness after which his case would be adjourned for the trial of Senate President Bukola Saraki to continue.

In a fit of rage, Orubebe’s counsel countered the judge’s statement, saying Saraki’s case was not more important than his.

He went on to insist, by shouting, that his case must proceed without latitude before Saraki’s.

But Umar cautioned him, saying “talk to us in a manner that is dignifying”.

Larry retorted: “We cannot be pushed aside because there is another case on the cause list.”

Visibly angry, Umar thundered: “We will proceed with your case tomorrow morning. Call the second case.”

Saraki is facing multiple counts of false declaration of assets while Orubebe is facing a single count of the same alleged offence.

Orubebe once tried to disrupt the collation of the presidential election results in 2015 in Abuja. He caused a farcical scene of which scenes of aggression are now casually called “Orubebe” in the social media.