An Abuja High Court on Wednesday granted bail to
Godsday Orubebe, a former Niger Delta Affairs Minister, in the sum of N10
million for allegedly diverting N2.3 billion.
The court also granted bail in the sum of N20
million each to Oludare Alaba and Ephraim Zeri, Directors of Contract in the
ministry.
Orubebe, Alaba and Zeri were arraigned on a
six-count charge by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related
Offences Commission.
The judge, Justice Olukayode Adeniyi, in his
ruling, ordered Orubebe to produce one surety in like sum.
Adeniyi said that Orubebe’s surety must be a responsible Nigerian with evidence
of three years tax payment and land property owner within the FCT.
He said Alaba and Zeri should produce one surety
each in like sum, who must be an assistant directors in the civil service and a
landowner within the court’s jurisdiction.
The judge ordered that the sureties must depose
to an affidavit of means.
Adeniyi said that Orubebe shall remain in the
custody of ICPC until his bail conditions were met and adjourned the case till
Nov. 10 for hearing.
The defendants alleged diverted about N2.3
billion meant for the dualisation of Section IV of the East-West Road.
Orubebe allegedly circumvented a Federal
Executive Council approval for the dualisation of the Eket-Oron Road, part of
the East-West Road which runs from Edo to Bayelsa.
He allegedly instructed the contractor, Gitto
Construction, to rehabilitate instead of dualising as approved by the council.
Orubebe and others were also charged with
conferring undue advantage on the construction firm when they caused the money
meant for compensating residents whose property were marked for demolition paid
to Gitto.
Orubebe was also accused of making false
statements to the ICPC claiming that the decision to rehabilitate the road
rather than dualise it was taken after he had left office as the minister.
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