The Federal Government has instituted a four-count criminal charge against the erstwhile Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Peter Orubebe, before the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, sitting in Abuja.
Already, the Justice Danladi Umar-led tribunal has fixed November 9 to take the plea of the former Minister who is facing charges bordering on false declaration of assets and his alleged acceptance of bribe to the tune of about N70 million.
Orubebe was okayed for trial by the Code of Conduct Bureau, CCB, through the office of the Attorney General of the Federation.
The charge against him which is dated October 8, was signed by a senior legal officer at the CCB, Mr. Peter Danladi.
Specifically, Orubebe was in the charge pending against him before the CCT, accused of failing to declare his ownership of two choice properties in Abuja.
The government alleged that he pocketed bribe of N70 million that was given to him by one Pastor (Dr.) Jonathan Alota, the owner of a company, Chemtronics Nigeria Limited, that benefited from contracts that were awarded by the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, whilst Orubebe held sway as the Minister.
Whereas he was accused of falsely declaring his assets in 2011, offence under section 15 of Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act Cap C15, FG, received bribe of N50m in 2012 and another N20m in 2013, an offence contrary to section 10 of the CCB & Tribunal Act, 2004, and punishable under Section 23 (2) of the same law.
A copy of the charge, as well as a summon from the tribunal for him to appear for trial on November 9, was said to have been served on the former Minister since October 29.
The charge which was obtained by Saturday Vanguard yesterday, 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.
“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 (₦ 1,799,914,251.88K) and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 10 of CCB & T Act”.
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