The Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) has today confiscated a landed property
allegedly belonging to former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godsday
Peter Orubebe.
Orubebe was arraigned by the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) at the CCT late
last year for alleged false asset declaration on a landed property, plot
number 2057 of Cadastral zone Asokoro, Abuja alleged to belong to him.
Justice Umar Danladi, while delivering judgment on the matter, noted that
Orubebe submitted that he had transferred the deeds of assignment to the
land to the first defense witness, Barrister Akinwunmi Ajibola.
The judge said the Tribunal observed that Ajibola, based on this
submission ought to have registered the property with the FCT Land
Administration Authority six years ago and the fact that he didn’t do this
rendered the documents tendered by the defendant as evidence of the
transfer to be worthless.
Orubebe had claimed that he transferred the deeds of assignment and other
documents on the property since 13th June, 2011 to Ajibola as an offset of
the two years rent of N10million he was owing him.
However, the Judge said documents gotten from FCT Land Administration
tendered by the prosecution confirmed that the registration of the said
property was still in the name of Orubebe.
He ruled that the testimonies and document presented by the prosecution
through its witness proved that the former minister is guilty of the
charge leveled against him by the CCB.
Reacting to the judgment, Orubebe’s lawyer, Selekowi Larry (SAN), told
journalists that the judgment was best described as a travesty of justice.
“This is beyond travesty of justice. It is a case of whether you like it
or not I must convict you that has a played out today,” he said
“Thank goodness, this is not where it ends. The court of appeal is there.
So we will definitely appeal against it. But I don’t think this looks well
for our country. I think it is terrible.”
Read more at
http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/general/updatd-asset-declaration-cct-confiscates-orubebe-s-property/165198.html#rS881osWP5FShoKp.99