The trial of the former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godsday Orubebe, at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, has been pushed forward till January 27, over the discovery of fresh facts by the Federal Government.
The FG on Thursday, applied to amend the four-count charge it filed against Orubebe in October.
Orubebe is being prosecuted on a 4-count charge of false assets declaration and accepting N70 million in bribes.
During Thursday’s court hearing, prosecuting counsel, Peter Danladi, asked the court to adjourn the trial to enable him facilitate the amendment process, as supported by section 216 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA, 2015.
Speaking through his lawyer, Orubebe urged the Federal Government to pull the plug on the trial, if there was no evidence to prosecute the charge against him.
His lawyer, Larry Selekeowei, also questioned the legal propriety of allowing government to orally apply for leave to amend a charge pending before the tribunal.
But the tribunal headed by Justice Danladi Umar, granted the government’s request, stating that a formal application should be filed to the effect of amending Orubebe’s charges.
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