Orubebe, Ex-Niger-Delta Minister re-arraigned, pleads not guilty

Former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godsday Orubebe on Tuesday pleaded not guilty to a fresh one-count charge of false assets declaration brought against him by the Code of conduct Bureau (CCB).
Orubebe, who was earlier arraigned before tribunal on November 8 last year on a four-count charge, was re arraigned  before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) on an amended charge of one count.
The former minister was earlier charged with false assets declaration and acceptance of bribe estimated at N70 million.
At the commencement of proceedings on Tuesday, prosecution lawyer, Mohammad Diri told the court that the prosecution has amended the earlier charge and wished to substitute it with a new charge of one count.
Diri, the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, said the amended charge was filed in line with provisions of section 214 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015. He said it was served on the defence some moments before the proceedings began on Tuesday.
Lead defence lawyer, Selekowei Larry (SAN), did not object to the amendment.
In the amended charge, the prosecution alleged that Orubebe failed to declare his Plot 2057, Asokoro District, Abuja when he assumed office as Minister of Niger Delta Affairs on September 26, 2007‎ and on leaving office on June 29, 2011, an offence it said was in breach of Section 15 of Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act and punishable under section 23(2) of the same Act.
The new count  reads: “That you, Godsday Peter Orubebe on or about June 29, 2011 while being a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in charge of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this honourable tribunal, did make a false declaration of assets to the Code of Conduct Bureau when you failed to declare Plot 2057, Asokoro District, Abuja on assumption of office on September 26, 2007 and on leaving office (at the end of your tenure) on June 29, 2011 and you hereby commit an offence contrary to section 15 of Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act Cap 15 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and punishable under section 23(2) of the same Act.”
After the charge was read to Orubebe and he pleaded not guilty, Diri, who announced that he intends to call three witnesses, sought an adjournment to enable him present his witnesses.
Tribunal Chairman, Danladi Umar adjourned to April 7.