The Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) sitting in Abuja Tuesday found former Minister of the Niger Delta, Godsday Orubebe, guilty of false declaration of assets.
Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Danladi Umar, held that the evidence presented by the prosecution prove that Orubebe was guilty as charged, and thus declared a forfeiture of the property.
“I hereby seize, on behalf of the federal government, the property known as plot 2057,”Umar ruled.
“The prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, and all evidence tendered are admitted.”
Mr Orubebe was docked last year for alleged failure to declare landed property in Kyamu and Asokoro district, both in Abuja, on assumption of office as minister on September 26, 2007.
Also, he was accused of allegedly accepting bribes totalling 70 million naira for the award of contracts in favour of his company.
Speaking with newsmen after the ruling, Larry Izimoje, Orubebe’s lawyer, described the judgment as a travesty of justice, TheCable writes.
“This is beyond travesty of justice. I can say that this is a case of whether you like it or not, I must convict you,” he said.
“That’s what played out today. Thank goodness, this is not where it ends. The court of appeal is there, so we will definitely appeal against it.”
Orubebe is more famous for his outburst after the presidential election of March 28, 2015, where as an agent of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), he tried to prevent former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Attahiru Jega, from announcing the results.
He however, tendered an unreserved apology to Nigerians for his conduct.
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