Erstwhile Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe, on Wednesday, approached the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal, praying it to set aside his conviction by the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT.
The CCT headed by Justice Danladi Umar had in a judgement it delivered on October 4, found Orubebe guilty of an allegation that he falsely declared his assets in 2007.
The tribunal said it was satisfied that Orubebe shielded his ownership of Plot 2057 Asokoro District, Abuja. Justice Umar who read the verdict, held that there was merit in a one-count amended charge the federal government preferred against the former Minister.
The tribunal consequently ordered that the said property should be forfeited to the government in accordance with section 23 of the Code of Conduct Bureau & Tribunal Act.
However, dissatisfied with the judgement which he described as perverse and a travesty of justice, Orubebe, through his lawyer, Mr Selekeowei Larry, SAN, filed a notice of appeal.
He raised three grounds he urged the appellate court to consider and vacate the decision the tribunal reached against him.
He insisted that the two-man panel tribunal misdirected itself in reaching its decision that was not supported by evidence led by the prosecution.
Orubebe argued that the tribunal erred in law when it held that the prosecution proved its case and ordered the forfeiture of the property in issue to FG, “without any proof of the offence, thereby occasioning gross miscarriage of justice.”
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