Orubebe’s trial begins at CCT

The federal government of Nigeria on Monday arraigned Godsday Orubebe, former minister of Niger Delta affairs, before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) for alleged false declaration of assets and bribery.

On October 8, the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) filed a four-count charge of false declaration of assets and bribery through the office of the attorney-general of the federation (AGF) against Orubebe at the CCT.

The first count of the charges 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 26, 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.”

Count two reads: “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 reads: “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 N50m 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.”

And count four reads: “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 N20m 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 centres in Edo state for the sum of N1,799,914,251.88, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 10 of CCB & T act.”

Orubebe, who had earlier alleged being witch-hunted, pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to him.‎
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He was calm throughout the process of the arraignment, even when he was asked to step into the accused box.

However, the trial could not proceed, as Musa Ibrahim, counsel to the federal government, asked for a two-week adjournment on the grounds that his witnesses were not ready.

But Selekeowei Larry (SAN), counsel to Orubebe, said he was ready to proceed with the matter. He asked the court to grant his client bail on self-recognition, but Danladi Umar, chairman of the CCT, explained that the accused person was not in detention; hence the prayer for bail was not necessary.

Umar adjourned the case to November 26 for definite hearing after giving the prosecuting counsel a “talking-to.”

Orubebe served as a polling agent for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the presidential election His attempts at disrupting the proceedings of the result collation remain fresh in the memories of Nigerians.

He had accused Attahiru Jega, then chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), of working against his party.