ABUJA, AUGUST 4, 2016 – A former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe, on Thursday distanced himself from the alleged diversion of funds earmarked for the East- West Road dualisation project.The ex-minister spoke in Abuja while reacting to reports that the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has brought charges against him in relation to the project.
The ICPC, in a five-count charge filed before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), accused Orubebe, Oludare Lawrence Alaba, Ephraim Towelde Zaki and Gitto Construction Limited of allegedly diverting close to N2 billion naira meant for the dualisation of Section IV of the East- West Road.
Orubebe, who said he was yet to be served with the charge, said payment for the project was made by his predecessor, Ufot Ekaete, who incidentally is from Eket, where the project was to be executed.
The ex-minister said he was interrogated on the issue last year by the ICPC and that when he clarified the issues to the agency, its officials told him he has no case to answer.
