#BBB NEWS| Former Minister Orubebe Arraigned For N70m Bribery, False Assets Declaration

The Federal Government, through the Code of Conduct Bureau, on Monday arraigned a former Minister of Niger Delta, Mr. Godsday Orubebe, on four counts of false assets declaration and bribery.

Orubebe, who was arraigned before the Justice Danladi Umar-led Code of Conduct Tribunal, pleaded not guilty to the four counts preferred against him.

Justice Umar expressed disappointment at the failure of the prosecution to present its witnesses immediately after the arraignment on Monday.

He adjourned till November 26 ‎with warning to the prosecution to come with all their witnesses on the next hearing date.

Orubebe in counts one and two was accused of failure to declare his assets at Plot 2722 Kyamu and Plot 2059 in Asokoro District both in Abuja on assumption of office as minister on September 26, 2007.

#BBB NEWS| Orubebe Denies Reports Of Defection To APC

Former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godsday Orubebe, vehemently denied media reports that he was leaving the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to All Progressive Congress (APC).

Orubebe was allegedly posted on his twitter handle, @EderGOrubebe, “I have concluded plans to join my folks in the APC to champion and sustain the movement for a better Niger Delta in the new administration.”

It will be recalled that Mr. Orubebe created panic at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) collation center during the presidential elections in March. SaharaReporters later reported that Mr. Orubebe was part of an elaborate plot to have INEC Chairman Attahiru Jega abducted.

According to a SaharaReporters investigation, Mr. Orubebe was acting under the direction of President Goodluck Jonathan.

#BBB NEWS| U.S. Likely To Sanction Patience Jonathan, Orubebe, Others Over Election Incitement, Rigging

The United States government appears set to sanction Nigeria’s ​first lady, Patience Jonathan, a former Niger Delta minister, Godsday Orubebe, ​and ​the ​governor of Katsina State, Ibrahim Shema, and other Nigerians accused of either disrupting the just concluded elections, or instigating violence.

The U.S. said Monday that it will impose visa restrictions on any Nigerian found to have incited violence or interfered with the electoral process.

The U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, said in a​ statement that the U.S. will shut its doors on people involved in any form of violence during the polls.

“Anyone found to have incited violence or interfered with electoral processes will be unwelcome in the United States and subject to visa sanctions,” Ms. Thomas-Greenfield said.