Money Laundering: Orubebe Appears Before CCT Tribunal
Adetokunbo Fakeye
Former minister of Niger Delta affairs, Godsday Orubebe, on Monday appeared before Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) in Abuja, to answer a four-count charge on money laundering.
Ibraheem Al-hassan, head of press and public relations of the CCT, had earlier confirmed that a charge was pending against Orubebe before the tribunal, revealing also that on Thursday, October 29, the summons was served on Orubebe.
But the former minister denied the allegations, stating that he is being unnecessary framed by the present administration because of his huge support for ousted president, Goodluck Jonathan.
Orubebe also denied ever demanding or collecting bribe throughout his six-year sojourn as a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, adding that he was convinced that the CCT was out to frame him given the way it had already begun his ‘trial’ in the media when he had only been served with the summons to appear before the court on November 9, 2015.
Justice Danladi Umar, the chairman of the Tribunal on Monday ordered Orubebe to enter the accused box immediately he entered the courtroom at about 10.43am.
A four-count charge was preferred against the ex-minister on behalf of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) on October 8, 2015.
The counts read: “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.
“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.
“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.
“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.”