N1.97bn CONTRACT SCAM: Court clears ex-minister Orubebe

Former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe, has been cleared by an Abuja High Court sitting at Apo of any wrongdoing in a N1.97 billion alleged contract scam.

The funds was meant for the compensation of owners of properties on Eket Urban section of the East-West Road in Eket, Akwa Ibom State.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) had preferred a six-count charge against Orubebe alleging there was complicity in the contract amounting to N1.97 billion

However, when the case came up in court on Tuesday, Trial Justice Olukayode Adeniyi, struck out the six-count charge, discharged and acquitted Orubebe and other defendants.

The decision by the judge came after the prosecution’s withdrawal of the charges.

Earlier, the court had asked the anti-graft agency to produce its witnesses to prove that Orubebe, diverted funds meant for the compensation of owners of properties on Eket Urban section of the East-West Road.

But shortly after Orubebe and other defendants were arraigned, a letter from the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN), to the chairman of the ICPC with Ref No DPPA/MNDA/345/16, confirmed that the N1, 965,576,153.46, which Orubebe allegedly diverted, “has not been expended.”

According to the letter, the money is awaiting further contract decisions and directives from the Ministry of Niger-Delta Affairs.”

The AGF further disclosed in the letter signed by the director of public prosecution and dated December 16, 2016 that, “in view of the above, the basis for the prosecution of the accused persons for misappropriation does not exist and thus, further prosecution cannot be justified.”

Aside Orubebe, other defendants in the charge were an Assistant Director at the Ministry of Niger-Delta Affairs, Mr. Oludare Davis Alaba, and the Director of Contracts, Gitto Costruzioni Generali Nig. Ltd., Mr. Ephraim Towede Zari.

While ICPC counsel, Mr. Ekoi Akpos, applied to withdraw the charge, he still contended that the decision was not premised on the letter from the AGF.

Orubebe served as Minister of Niger Delta Affairs under former President Goodluck Jonathan.

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