Ex-minister's N70m bribery charge dropped, but faces false asset declaration trial
FG resolves to prosecute the former Minister on an amended one-count charge bordering on allegation of false declaration of his assets in 2007.
Recommended articles
![Abdullahi Ganduje [Facebook]](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20width%3D'100'%20height%3D'100'%20data-ring-placeholder%3D'1'%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E "Abdullahi Ganduje [Facebook]")
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Orubebe is being tried before Justice Danladi Umar of the Code of Conduct Tribunal in Abuja.
At the resumed hearing on Tuesday, the Prosecution Counsel, Mr Mohammed Diri, informed the tribunal that the Federal Government has resolved to withdraw some of the charges first filed on Oct. 8.
Diri told the tribunal that he has just filed a new one-count charge bothering on false asset declaration while other issues bothering on corruption and bribery against the Ex-Minister had been dropped.
ADVERTISEMENT
According to Diri, the Federal Government resolves to prosecute the former Minister on an amended one-count charge bordering on allegation of false declaration of his assets in 2007.
The counsel said that the amended charge was brought in pursuant to the provisions of Section 216 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
The prosecution alleged that Orubebe failed to declare his asset at 2057, Asokoro District, Abuja, when he assumed office as Minister of Niger Delta Affairs on June 29, 2011.
He said that amended one-count charge was served on the defendant some moments before the Tuesday proceedings began.
Diri said that the charge preferred against the defendant was contrary to the provision of Section 15 of the Code of Conduct Tribunal Act.
ADVERTISEMENT
He said that it was also against the provision of CAP 15 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and Punishable under Section 23(2) of the same Act.
Diri also informed the tribunal that he would be willing to call three witnesses to testify to the charge
Meanwhile, the defence counsel, Mr Selekeowei Larry (SAN), did not oppose the amendment.
The Tribunal Chairman, however, accepted the new charge and struck out the former ones.
The chairman also directed that the fresh charge be read to the defendant to which he pleaded not guilty.
ADVERTISEMENT
The judge, thereafter, adjourned the matter till April 7 for the prosecution to open its case.
JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!
ADVERTISEMENT
Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:
Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng
Recommended articles
FG to review recent price hike of DStv, GOtv packages amid public outcry
BREAKING: FG grants Air Peace right to commence Abuja-London flights - Keyamo
Deputy who dumped Akeredolu clinches PDP governorship ticket
Gov inaugurates 2nd phase of palliative distribution to poor Enugu residents
Flight Dispatchers fault Keyamo's order to suspend Dana Air over landing mishap
Respite for Nigerians as NNPC says cause of fuel scarcity has been resolved
Again, JAMB extends Direct Entry registration, says 2024 UTME best in history
Lagos residents need real empowerment, not your food packs, LP tells Sanwo-Olu
Ikoyi prison controller in trouble for disobeying court order on convict's whereabouts
ADVERTISEMENT
![Polling clerks counted votes at a polling station after completing the voting process of the general election in Abuja, Nigeria, on February 25, 2023. [Getty Images]](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20width%3D'300'%20height%3D'172'%20data-ring-placeholder%3D'1'%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E "Polling clerks counted votes at a polling station after completing the voting process of the general election in Abuja, Nigeria, on February 25, 2023. [Getty Images]")