Judge Blasts Federal Government for Not Producing Witnesses Against Orubebe

Justice Danladi Umar of the Code of Conduct Tribunal expressed his disappointment with the Federal Government as it failed to produce witnesses against erstwhile Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Peter Orubebe who appeared at the tribunal over a 4 count charge of financial crimes.

Justice Danladi Umar

Justice Danladi Umar-led panel has berated the Federal Government for not producing witnesses against Orubebe , Vanguard reports.

This came as the Federal Government, this morning, docked the erstwhile Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Peter Orubebe, before the Code of Conduct ‎Tribunal sitting in Abuja on a four-count criminal charge bordering on money laundering and alleged bribery to the tune of N70million.

‎Orubebe mounted the accused box at exactly 10: 50am, after which he pleaded not guilty to the charge which was read to him by clerk of the CCT.

‎Meantime, the prosecuting counsel, Mr. Musa Ibrahim Usman, told the tribunal that his witnesses were not available, even as he applied for two weeks adjournment to enable him to assemble them.

His application infuriated the defence counsel, Mr. ‎Larry Selekeowei, SAN, who accused FG of not being serious with the prosecution of the case.

“My lords we are really surprised that they are not ready to proceed today despite all the noise and heavy ‎weather they have made for the past 10 days. On our part, we are ready for the trial”, he added.

Besides, he applied that the accused person be granted bail on self recognition, a request that was granted by the tribunal.

Before ‎adjourning the case till November 26 for definite hearing, the Justice Danladi Umar-led panel, berated FG for not producing witnesses against Orubebe today.

According to Justice Danladi, “I am not happy that the witnesses are not here today. The prosecution had ample time to assemble its witnesses but failed to do so. I want you to take this case very serious.

“The purpose of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act is to treat criminal matter of this nature with dispatch. We don’t need to be coming here to adjourn this matter indefinitely or unnecessarily. When you come here, you must come for business”, Justice Danladi added.