Failure of the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, Justice Umar Danladi, to sit yesterday stalled the trial of
former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe. The Head, Press and Public Relations of the tribunal, Mr. Ibraheem Alhassan, said the judge`s absence followed the death of his aunty on Monday.
It stated that the tribunal chairman, who travelled yesterday, however, fixed April 20 as the new date for continuation of trial. Embattled Orubebe was arraigned by the federal government on one-count charge of false asset declaration, which he pleaded not guilty.
At the last adjourned date, the first prosecution witness, Samuel Madojemu, led in evidence by Mr. Mohammed Diri, said Orubebe did not declare Plot 2057, Asokoro District, Abuja, as minister between 2007 and 2011.
The witness said he coordinates the Code of Conduct Bureau’s intelligence on observed breaches of the code and asset that led to the investigation of the matter and subsequent arraignment.”
