An Abuja High Court presided over by Justice Olukayode Adeniyi has struck out a six-count charge bordering on alleged complicity in a contract fraud brought against a former Minister, Elder Godsday Orubebe.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) had alleged that the ex-minister was involved in a N1.97billion contract scam while he oversaw the ministry of Niger Delta Affairs under the Goodluck Jonathan administration.
However, the charge was withdrawn on a day the court earlier gave the anti-graft agency to produce its witnesses to establish that Orubebe diverted funds meant for the compensation of owners of property on Eket Urban section of the East-West Road in Eket, Akwa Ibom State.
Other defendants in the charge were an Assistant Director at the Ministry of Niger-Delta Affairs, Mr. Oludare Davis Alaba, and the Director of Contracts, Gitto Costruzioni Generali Nig. Ltd., Mr. Ephraim Towede Zari.
Following the withdrawal of the charge by the prosecution, Justice Adeniyi discharged and acquitted the defendants.
