N2.3b fraud: Orubebe’s absence stalls arraignment
The arraignment of former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godsday Orubebe was, on Tuesday, stalled over his alleged involvement in the diversion of about N2.3 billion public funds.
Orubebe, Oludare Lawrence Alaba (an Assistant Director, Ministry of Niger Delta Affiars), Ephraim Tewolde Zeri (Director of Contracts in Gitto Costruzioni Generali Nigeria Limited and the company are named the six-count charge marked: CR/265/2016, filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC).
They are accused of diverting the N2.3m meant for the compensation of property owners to be affected by the Federal Governemnt’s dualisation project of Section IV of the East West Road involving ex-Niger Delta Affairs Minister, Godsday Orubebe and three others.
This is the second time Orubebe and others’ arraignment will be shifted to a later date.
They were initially scheduled to be arraigned before Justice Olukayode Adeniyi of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on August 18. It was shifted to August 30 when prosecution lawyer, Osuobeni Akponimisingha told the court that his agency, the ICPC was yet to effect service of the charge on all defendants.
Yesterday, prosecution lawyer, Akponimisingha told the court that two of the defendants – Alaba and Zeri – were in court.
He noted that Orubebe was not in court even when he had been properly served with the necessary court documents.
Orubebe’s lawyer, F. Zimuan told the court that his client was absent in court because he was currently indisposed.
“His (Orubebe’s) absence is not deliberate. He suddenly took ill. He had domestic accident, which affected his ankle and wrist,” Zimuan said.
He said the development had cumulative effect on his hypertensive client, who had since been rushed to the hospital.
“I have a medical paper to that effect. I assure that he will come to face his trial once he is discharged from the hospital and we pray it will not be too long from today,” Zimuan said and sought a adjournment for 10 days.
Although the prosecution lawyer queried the authenticity of the medical report tendered by Orubebe’s lawyer, the Judge, Adeniyi agreed to an adjournment.
Other defence lawyers in the case, Kanu Agabi (SAN)N who represented Zeri and Gitto Costruzioni Generali Nigeria Limited and K. B. Asunogie agreed to an adjournment.
Justice Adeniyi, who noted that it was the second time the arraignment was being shifted, urged Orubebe’s lawyer to ensure that his client attend court on the next date and adjourned to September 7.
