The Code of Conduct Bureau, CCB on Monday arraigned a former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe before the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT on a four-count charge bordering on bribery and false declaration of assets.
The former minister is accused in counts one and two of failing to declare his assets at Plot 2722 Kyamu District, Abuja and Plot 2059 Asokoro District, Abuja on assuming office as minister on 26 September 2007.
The third count alleges that Orubebe received a bribe of N50m from one Pastor Jonathan Alota on 19 September 2012 for the award of a contract to Alota's company, Chemtronics Nigeria Ltd.
Count four accuses Orubebe of collecting an additional bribe of N20m from Pastor Alota in 2013 for the award to Chemtronics Nigeria Ltd of a contract for the construction of a N1.8b skill acquisition center in Edo State.
Elder Orubebe pleaded not guilty to all four charges.
The tribunal Chairman, Justice Danladi Umar adjourned the case to 26 November 2015 after reprimanding the prosecution for failing to produce its witnesses.
To the chagrin of the tribunal Chairman, the prosecution counsel, Mr Musa Usman had asked for adjournment on the ground that his witnesses were not in court, immediately after the accused pleaded not guilty to the charges.
“I am surprised that your witnesses are not here. You have ample time, you have ample opportunity to prepare your witnesses. The whole essence of the new Administration of Criminal Justice Act is to ensure that criminal cases are treated with dispatch.
“Once arraignment has taken place, the prosecution is supposed to call its witnesses. Don’t let this repeat itself,” Justice Umar warned.
The accused ex-Minister had stormed the tribunal with a musical band and a large retinue of tribal supporters singing his praises.
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