Politics
Court grants Orubebe, others N50m bail over alleged N2.3bn fraud
A Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, presided over by Justice Kayode Adeniyi, on Wednesday granted bail of N50 million to ex-Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godsday Orubebe and two others.
They were arraigned in the court by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), on alleged diversion of N2.3 billion meant for the compensation of property owners to be affected by the Federal Government’s dualisation project of Section IV of the East West Road.
Orubebe, Oludare Lawrence Alaba an Assistant Director, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs), Ephraim Tewolde Zeri (Director of Contracts in Gitto Costruzioni Generali Nigeria Limited) and the company were arraigned before the court on a six-count charge marked: CR/265/2016.
After Orubebe and others pleaded not guilty to the charge against them, Justice Kayode Adeniyi granted the former minister bail at N10m and one surety, who must be a responsible Nigerian, inhabitant in Abuja and must show evidence of steady tax payment.
Read also: N2bn fraud case: Orubebe hypertensive, absent in court
Adeniyi granted Alaba and Zeri bail at N20m and one surety each, who are to be residents in Abuja. He however added that Alaba’s surety must be an Assistant Director in any Federal Government’s agency, while Zeri’s surety must own property in Abuja and show evidence of ownership.
He ordered that the defendants must remain in ICPC’s custody until they were able to fulfil their bail terms and adjourned the case to November 10, for commencement of trial.
The court had earlier scheduled Orubebe’s trial on August 31, but the case was stalled owing to the former minister’s absent due to what his lawyer said was caused by a sudden illness.
By Ebere Ndukwu …
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