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Code of Conduct Tribunal finds Orubebe guilty

Godsday Orubebe

Godsday Orubebe

The Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) has found former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe, guilty of false declaration of assets.

As a result of this the tribunal ordered the forfeiture of a property belonging to the minister in a choice area of Abuja, Asokoro

Chairman of the Tribunal, Danladi Umar, on Tuesday, delivered the judgment convicting Orubebe of the offence.

Justice Umar explained that the testimonies and documents presented by the prosecution prove that the former minister is guilty as charged.

He further stated that while the minister claimed that the property was on rent from the federal government, the rejection of the claim by his former landlord to allow him exercise his right over the property rendered the power of attorney useless.

The former Minister had pleaded ‘not guilty’ for two count charges of false declaration of assets and another two counts of bribery when arraigned before the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

Mr Orubebe was charged by the Code of Conduct Bureau for alleged failure to declare landed property in Kyamu and Asokoro district, both in Abuja, on assumption of office as minister on September 26, 2007.

The former minister is better known for his outburst at the national collation centre of the 2015 presidential election, in an attempt to prevent Attahiru Jega, a professor of political science and chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), from declaring the results of the election.

Speaking with reporters at the end of the proceedings, Orubebe’s lawyer, Larry Izimoje‎, described the judgment as a travesty of justice.

“This is beyond travesty of justice. I can say that this is a case of whether you like it or not, I must convict you.

“That’s what played out today. Thank goodness, this is not where it ends. The court of appeal is there, so we will definitely appeal against it,” he said.

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