Discharged, acquitted of graft, Orubebe heads to A’Court to quash CCT ruling

Nigeria’s former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe‎, who was recently discharged and acquitted of any wrongdoing in a corruption charge leveled against him by the Federal Government, has appealed his conviction in another case by the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

An Abuja High Court sitting at Apo, had on April 4, cleared Orubebe of any wrongdoing in a N1.97 billion alleged contract scam meant for the compensation of owners of properties on Eket Urban section of the East-West Road in Eket, Akwa Ibom State.

But in another case before the CCT, Orubebe was convicted, following Federal Government’s allegation that he falsely declared his assets in 2007.

In its verdict, the CCT had said it was satisfied that Orubebe shielded his ownership of Plot 2057 Asokoro District, Abuja.

Justice Danladi Umar in his ruling in the matter had held that there was merit in the one-count amended charge the Federal Government preferred against Orubebe, ordering that the said property should be forfeited to the government.

However the former minister has in a Notice of Appeal marked CA/A/633c/2016, asked the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal to quash his conviction by the CCT.

Orubebe in his appeal is asking the appellate court to set aside the judgment of Justice Danladi Umar-led tribunal delivered against him on October 4, 2016, as well as discharge and acquit him of the charge.

In the appeal he made through his lawyer, Mr. Selekowei Larry, SAN, Orubebe made three arguments for which the appellate court should consider and nullify his conviction.

Read also: CCT finds Orubebe guilty of false declaration, house seized

He argued, “Whether the tribunal was right in convicting the defendant for false declaration of plot 2057, Asokoro District, Abuja.

“Whether the tribunal was right in holding that the said plot 2057 remained or remains the defendant’s property despite exhibits D1, D2, and D3 being documentary evidence of transfer of interest executed in favour of one Divention Properties Ltd by the defendant.

“Whether the tribunal was right in suo motu raising the issue of non registration of Divention Properties Ltd’s title in respect of plot 2057 Asokoro District, Abuja and convicting the defendant thereon without granting party opportunity to be heard thereon”.

He further asked the tribunal to allow the appeal on the ground that the prosecution woefully failed to prove the false declaration of assets against him.

 

 

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