Anti-Corruption Network has written to the chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), accusing the Niger Delta minister, Godsday Orubebe, of corruption and abuse of office.
Anti-Corruption Network has written to the chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), accusing the Niger Delta minister, Godsday Orubebe, of corruption and abuse of office.
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In a complaint dated 19 November, and signed by its Executive Secretary, Dino Melaye, the group said that Mr. Orubebe, the former Minister of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs (MNDA) of accepting as gratification a palatial mansion on the property allocated to him in Abuja, FCT, contrary to Section 12 of the Act.
Orubebe was named Minister of the Niger Delta three weeks ago to replace Barth Nnaji, who was allegedly removed for corruption.
The petitioners pointed out that a search report from the Abuja Geographic Information System (AGIS), clearly shows that the land upon which the edifice was erected rightly belongs to the Minister, the petition said.
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Complained the group: “It has become an adverse trend in our polity where public office holders under the guise of administrative functions illegally divert funds, contracts and even take benefits/gratifications in the award of contracts to companies whose promise of a reward is highest contrary to Sections 12, 13, 14, 20,22 and 25 of the Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Act, Cap. C31, LFN 2010(hereinafter referred to as the Act).”
The complaint said, among others:
• The affidavit of Declaration of Assets in custody of Code of Conduct Bureau does not reflect the ownership of the mansion, and
• Orubebe granted an interview with Sun Rise Daily of Channels Television wherein he denied the ownership of the mansion.
Stressing that the Minister has patently abused his office, the petitioners said, “We are not unmindful of the legal implications of this Petition, and in this regard we humbly require your humble self to critically look into this Petition and the facts enunciated therein in order to take further and necessary actions as contained under Sections 30 & 31 of the Act in the prosecution of all parties who have been privy to this illegal transaction.”
They said they would not hesitate to go to court to compel the ICPC in the prosecution of this menace and abuse of office in order to preserve the sanctity of laws and build a better nation.
The government of President Goodluck Jonathan normally ignores public and press corruption reports concerning its senior officials.
Full text of the petition:
Telephone: 098766183
19th November 2012.
The Chairman
Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC)
Abuja.
Dear Sir,
PETITION ON ABUSE OF OFFICE BY ELDER GODSDAY ORUBEBE
The above matter refers.
We write this Petition in the interest of our nascent democracy and the entire citizenry at large.
It has become an adverse trend in our polity where public office holders under the guise of administrative functions illegally divert funds, contracts and even take benefits/gratifications in the award of contracts to companies whose promise of a reward is highest contrary to Sections 12,13,14, 20,22 and 25 of the Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Act, Cap. C31, LFN 2010(hereinafter referred to as the Act).
A classic example inter alia is that of Elder Godsday Orubebe, the Minister of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs (MNDA). By virtue of his standing to influence the award of Contracts, Elder Godsday Orubebe abused his office by accept a gratification of a palatial mansion on the property allocated to him in Abuja, FCT contrary to Section 12 of the Act.
The Mansion is situated at Minister’s Hill, Mabushi Area, Abuja built and delivered to Elder Godsday Orubebe by one of the contractors in his Ministry.
Further in support of this claim is the fact that search Report at the Abuja Geographic Information System (AGIS) clearly shows that the land upon which the edifice was erected rightly belongs to Elder Godsday Orubebe.
The Issues that undeniably come to play and against which this Petition is hereby forwarded to your humble self are:
1. Elder Godsday Orube is a public officer, appointed as the first Minister of the Niger Delta Affairs.
2. Elder Godsday Orubebe owns a parcel of land at Minister’s Hill, Mabushi Area, Abuja as confirmed by the search Report at Abuja Geographic Information System (AGIS).
3. The affidavit of Declaration of Assets in custody of Code of Conduct Bureau does not reflect the ownership of the mansion.
4. Elder Godsday Orubebe granted an interview with Sun Rise Daily of Channels Television wherein he denied the ownership of the mansion claiming that the mansion is a mere four (4) bedroom apartment of which he is only a tenant.
As it is from the above Elder Godsday Orubebe has patently abused the use of his office under Section 22 of the Act, Section 13 of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, Cap. C15 2010, and he is also guilty of an offence of corruption and abuse of office pursuant to Section 98 of the Criminal Code Act.
We are not unmindful of the legal implications of this Petition, and in this regard we humbly require your humble self to critically look into this Petition and the facts enunciated therein in order to take further and necessary actions as contained under Sections 30 & 31 of the Act in the prosecution of all parties who have been privy to this illegal transaction.
Your attention is also invited to Section 23 of the Act which stipulates forfeiture of the gratification by the public officer being the subject matter of the offence.
We will however not hesitate to approach the Court for redress and compel your office in the prosecution of this menace and abuse of office in order to preserve the sanctity of laws and build a better nation.
Kindly accept the assurances of our highest regards.
Yours faithfully,
OTUNBA DINO MELAYE
EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
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