Orubebe

The Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) on Tuesday convicted  Godsday Orubebe, former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs of one count charge of false asset declaration  preferred against him by the Federal Government.

Consequently, the Tribunal ordered the former Minister to forfeit the property- plot 2057,  Asokoro District in Abuja which he failed to declare to the Federal Government.

While reading the judgement, Mr Danladi Umar, the chairman of CCT said,  “Having evaluated the evidence of the  prosecution before the Tribunal, it found the accused guilty of not declaring the said plot of land, 2057 in Asokoro, Abuja, as brought against him by the Federal Government.”

The CCT Chairman added that Federal Government proved its case against Orubebe beyond reasonable and as such, the Tribunal has no option than to accept the evidence and documents tendered by the prosecution.

“The Tribunal aligned itself with the testimony of Prosecution witnesses. And the consequences of none compliance with the relevant Section of the provision of ‎ asset declaration is forfeiture of the property.

“‎I hereby seize, on behalf of the Federal Government, the property known as plot 2057.

“The prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, and all evidence tendered are admitted”,  he said.

Mr Danladi said Orubebe committed an offence by not declaring a piece of property in Abuja, which he claimed he had sold for N100m.

The Federal Government alleged in the one count charge that the former Minister failed to declare his ownership of Plot 2057, situated at Asokoro District in Abuja contrary to Section 15 of Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, Cap. 15 laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2014, and punishable under Section 23(2) of the  same Act.

Orubebe’s lawyer,  however described the judgment as a travesty of justice in a chat with journalists. He added that his client will appeal against the judgement.

“How can you say a third party will suffer for what he had already sold”, he said.

Orubebe on his part said if it was “the land they wanted they should go with it”