Orubebe Fails To Appear In Court – He Is Hypertensive, Lawyer Tells Court

SAN FRANCISCO, August 30, (THEWILL) – Former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godsday Orubebe, was absent in court on Tuesday for the continuation of his arraignment for alleged involvement in the diversion of about N2.3 billion public funds before a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Maitama.

Orubebe, along with Oludare Lawrence Alaba, an Assistant Director, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs; Ephraim Tewolde Zeri, Director of Contracts in Gitto Costruzioni Generali Nigeria Limited and the company were arraigned in a six-count charge marked filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

They are accused of diverting the N2.3 billion meant for the compensation of property owners to be affected by the Federal Government's dualization project of Section IV of the East West Road, but the case was stalled due to Orubebe's absence.

Orubebe's lawyer, Mr. F. Zimhuan, apologised to the trial judge, Justice Olukayode Adeniyi, for the absence of his client, saying he suddenly took ill after a domestic accident and was rushed to the hospital adding that said the ex-Minister's health was complicated by his hypertensive condition.

“The first defendant is in the hospital,” he said.
“His absence in court today is not deliberate. He suddenly took ill. He had domestic accident affecting his ankle and wrist. He is hypertensive and the cumulative effect was that they had to rush him to the hospital.

“We want to give the assurance that the first accused will be ready to face his trial anytime he is discharged from the hospital and we pray that it won't be long from today.”

‎This is the second time Orubebe and others' arraignment will be shifted to a later date.

THEWILL recalls that they were initially scheduled to be arraigned on August 18 but it was shifted to August 30 when the prosecution lawyer, Osuobeni Akponimisingha told the court that the ICPC was yet to effect service of the charge on all defendants.

Alaba and Zeri were however present in court.
Story by David Oputah