Orubebe docked at CCT over alleged false assets declaration, N70m bribery

The trial of former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe by the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) over alleged four count charge of false declaration of assets and acceptance of about N70million bribe, on Monday, began in Abuja.

Justice Danladi Umar, the chairman of the Tribunal ordered Orubebe to enter the accused box immediately he entered the courtroom around 10.43 am. The four-count charge was filed on behalf of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) by Peter Danladi of the CCB on October 8, 2015.

Count one 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 29th 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 26th 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: “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: “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 fifty million naira 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.

Count four: “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 twenty million naira 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 Centre at Edo State for the sum of one billion seven hundred and ninety nine million, nine hundred and fourteen thousand two hundred and fifty naira eighty eight kobo only (N 1,799,914,251.88K) and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 10 of CCB & T Act.”

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Orubebe docked at CCT over alleged false assets declaration, N70m bribery

The trial of former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe by the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) over alleged four count charge of false declaration of assets and acceptance of about N70million bribe, on Monday, began in Abuja.

Justice Danladi Umar, the chairman of the Tribunal ordered Orubebe to enter the accused box immediately he entered the courtroom around 10.43 am. The four-count charge was filed on behalf of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) by Peter Danladi of the CCB on October 8, 2015.

Count one 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 29th 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 26th 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: “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: “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 fifty million naira 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.

Count four: “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 twenty million naira 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 Centre at Edo State for the sum of one billion seven hundred and ninety nine million, nine hundred and fourteen thousand two hundred and fifty naira eighty eight kobo only (N 1,799,914,251.88K) and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 10 of CCB & T Act.”

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#SarakiOnTrial : Saraki finally submit himself to Code of Conduct Tribunal & pleads not guilty

Senate President Bukola Saraki arrived at the Code of Conduct Tribunal in Abuja. Saraki, in company with his deputy, Ike Ekeweremadu, former governor of Sokoto State, Wamako, and several other senators. The tribunal chairman, Justice Umar, begins the Saraki’s trial while the prosecuting lawyer, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), takes the floor at the tribunal on the issue of jurisdiction.

Saraki pleads not guilty to first count and continues to plead not guilty to all charges read to him. After prosecuting counsel completes reading of charges. Saraki pleads not guilty to all counts.

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#SarakiOnTrial : Saraki finally submit himself to Code of Conduct Tribunal & pleads not guilty

Senate President Bukola Saraki arrived at the Code of Conduct Tribunal in Abuja. Saraki, in company with his deputy, Ike Ekeweremadu, former governor of Sokoto State, Wamako, and several other senators. The tribunal chairman, Justice Umar, begins the Saraki’s trial while the prosecuting lawyer, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), takes the floor at the tribunal on the issue of jurisdiction.

Saraki pleads not guilty to first count and continues to plead not guilty to all charges read to him. After prosecuting counsel completes reading of charges. Saraki pleads not guilty to all counts.

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I will be at the Code of Conduct Tribunal on Tuesday – Saraki promises

The Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki has said he will appear before the Code of Conduct Tribunal on Tuesday, following the continuous request that he be made to appear to clear himself of the standing allegation of false declaration of asset.

A statement from the media office of the Senate President said, ”while the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, had stated and maintained that he is ready to submit himself to due process of the law on any issue concerning him, he also believes that he has an inalienable right to resort to the same judiciary for protection when he feels his fundamental rights are about to be infringed upon.”

The statement further affirmed that Saraki was a law abiding citizen and that his absence from the tribunal was based on the legal advice he received from his counsel that it was not necessary for him to appear before the tribunal at this stage since the jurisdiction of the tribunal and the process of initiating the matter were being challenged before the federal High Court in Abuja.

It said that, ” following the adjournment for the determination of the motion on notice and the substantive suit before the Federal High Court to 30th of September and the appeal pending before the Court of Appeal adjourned to the 29th of September 2015, the Senate President has decided, as a law abiding citizen, to appear before the Tribunal in the interim.’

”Dr. Saraki has taken the decision to attend the Tribunal sitting to demonstrate his respect for the rule of law in spite of his personal reservation on the process of his trial and the purpose it may be intended to serve.

The statement assured Nigerians of Saraki absolute belief in the judicial process and ”is therefore confident that the course of justice would be served at the end of this matter.”

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