The Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), on Thursday, gave the Federal Government two months to amend the four-count charge it preferred against the former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godsday Peter Orubebe.
Orubebe is being prosecuted over charges bordering on false assets declaration and alleged demand and collection of bribe of about N70 million while in office as a minister.
Chairman of the tribunal, Danladi Yakubu Umar, granted the adjournment even when Orubebe’s counsel, Selekeowei Larry (SAN), repeatedly insisted that he was ready for the trial to go ahead.
Counsel to the Federal Government, Peter Danladi, leading the prosecution team, had sought to alter the charges filed against Orubebe who was put on trial for allegedly receiving N70 million bribe from a contractor and also for false declaration of his assets.
The oral application to alter the charge was, however, opposed by Orubebe’s counsel, who told the tribunal chairman that it was improper for such an application to be treated orally.
Larry disclosed that it was wrong in law for the tribunal and the accused person to be caught unawares by the Federal Government, adding that the alteration to the charge had to be made in writing for all parties to see.
At this stage, government’s counsel applied for two months adjournment and was expressly granted by the tribunal which adjourned the trial till January 27.
The Federal Government had last month arraigned the former minister over alleged N70 million bribe and false declaration of assets.
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