CRIME NEWS

Alleged N70m bribery: Orubebe kicks, as FG applies to amend charge

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri
ABUJA—The Federal Government, yesterday, applied to amend the four-count charge it filed against the former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe, before the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, sitting in Abuja.
The prosecuting counsel, Mr. Peter Danladi, who referred to section 216 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA, 2015, said the amendment was necessitated by fresh facts that were uncovered by government in relation to the case against the former minister.
Danladi pleaded for an adjournment to enable him to perfect the amendment process.
The development did not go down well with Orubebe, who asked the Federal Government to leave him alone if it has no evidence to prosecute the charge against him.
Orubebe, through his lawyer, Mr. Larry Selekeowei, SAN, queried the legal propriety of allowing government to orally apply for leave to amend a charge pending before the tribunal.
In a short ruling, the tribunal headed by Justice Danladi Umar ordered government to file a formal application indicating its intention to amend the charge against Orubebe.
The matter was subsequently adjourned till January 27.
[Vanguard]