…As FG fails to produce exhibit
Stories by Vivian Okejeme
Abuja
Justice John Tsoho has adjourned till May 25, the trial of Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Sylvester Ngwuta, at the Federal High Court, Abuja on a 13-count charge bordering on corruption, money laundering and other financial crimes, as the prosecution failed to produce exhibit in court.
Justice Ngwuta is one of the judges arrested by the Department of State Security Service; DSS on October 8, 2016 after raiding their homes in what was termed “a sting operation”
At the resumed trial, the federal government’s lead prosecuting counsel Olufunmilayo Fatunde, told the court that exhibit to be presented by the witness was not in court and pleaded the court for an adjournment.
“I asked for a short date my lord to enable the witness present the exhibit on the next adjourned date,” she said.
Responding, counsel to the defendant, Kanu Agabi SAN, who did not oppose the adjournment application said: “My Lord, we are more anxious than the prosecution to go on with the case. The defendant is willing to defend himself and prove his innocence on merit. Any time the exhibit is in court, we are ready. But if you want to strike out the case I leave that to your discretion.”
Consequently, the trial Judge, Justice John Tsoho adjourned to May 25 and 26 for continuation of trial.
There have been three amendments to the 16 count-charge originally filed in December 2016, reducing the charges to 13 counts, to which the embattled jurist also pleaded not guilty to them.
Among allegations against Justice Ngwuta is giving false information to the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) concerning his diplomatic passport with the purpose of procuring another one.
Other charges, including money laundering allegation of retention and concealment of various sums of money in local and foreign currencies, allegedly recovered from him during the raid of the DSS operatives on October 8, 2016, remained part of the charges.
He was also accused of giving various cash sums of money above the statutory threshold to his building contractor for the building of various houses in his home-state, Ebonyi state, without going through a financial institution.
