The Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, on Tuesday, found a former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godsday Orubebe, guilty of false declaration of asset.
Godsday Orubebe
The chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Danladi Umar, has today, October 4, found former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godsday Orubebe, guilty of false declaration of asset, as he delivered his judgment at the tribunal.
“I hereby seize, on behalf of the federal government, the property known as plot 2057. The prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, and all evidence tendered are admitted,” Umar ruled as he convicted Orubebe of the offence.
He held that Orubebe committed an offence for not declaring a piece of property in Abuja, which he claimed he had sold.
It can be recalled that Orubebe had been standing trial on a one-count charge of false asset declaration, as the President Buhari-led federal government had claimed that Orubebe, who was a minister under the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, committed the offence while he was a public officer.
Speaking with journalists at the end of the proceedings, Larry Izimoje, Orubebe’s lawyer, described the judgment as a travesty of justice.
“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.
“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,” he said.