The Federal Government yesterday told a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja of how N27million was found in the bathroom of embattled Supreme Court Justice Sylvester Ngwuta.
Also recovered from his private residence in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, according to prosecution counsel, Charles Adeogun-Philips include four exotic vehicles – Hummer jeep, Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV), one Wrangler jeep, SUV, one BMW 5 Series Sedan, which were initially concealed by one Mr. Nwamba Linus Chukwuebuka, on the alleged instructions of Justice Ngwuta.
The prosecution counsel said Justice Ngwuta had four international passports, two diplomatic D5000087 D00004598 and two standard passports with Nos. A4389985 and D5000087, which he was using concurrently.
Meanwhile, the court yesterday granted him bail for N100 million after pleading not guilty to a 16-count criminal charge.
Justice Ngwuta, who was docked before Justice John Tsoho denied allegations that he was involved in money laundering.
Although Adeogun-Philips had opposed his bail application because the defendant could jump bail and interfere with witnesses and evidence, Justice Tsoho ruled that the Department of State Services (DSS) having deposed to an affidavit of completion of investigation, there was no basis for the prosecution to express fear that Ngwuta would interfere with the witnesses or evidence.
Justice Tsoho held that although the prosecution cited several cases on the behaviour and conduct of the defendant during investigation, ‘the court was, however, not told that the administrative bail earlier granted him by the DSS was revoked and as such, there is no ground before the court to indicate that the defendant will jump bail.
The court held that the prosecution was not consistent in its numerous claims that the defendant will evade trial, adding that the same prosecution had established that all the travelling documents of the Justice Ngwuta have been seized and that they have been keeping an eagle eye on his movements.
Justice Ngwuta, who arrived in the court at about 8:15 am, was calm before the trial began.
Immediately after his plea of not guilty was taken, Adeogun-Philips informed the court that one of his witnesses was present and willing to immediately commence his Evidence-in-Chief.
But the defence counsel Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), asked the court to release his client on bail pending the hearing and determination of the case against him.
Agabi, who is a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, contended that the charge against his client contained bailable offences.
He premised the bail application on Sections 35 and 36 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, as well as Section 162 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
But, in opposing the bail application, the prosecution counsel said following his arrest and release on administrative bail on October 9, 2016, Justice Ngwuta obstructed justice by tampering with evidence likely to incriminate him by engaging Mr. Chukwuebuka through a telephone call to remove some properties from his private residence at Engineering Close, off Onwe Road, Abakaliki.
The properties, according to the prosecution, include a bag located at his bathroom containing some vital documents which was initially concealed by Mr. Chukwuebuka at the residence of Abraham Ezeani in Abakaliki, on or about October 9, 2016 and subsequently recovered from there by investigators from the DSS in November, 2016.
He told the court that another bag located in Ngwuta’s bathroom containing N27million cash which was initially concealed by him on or about October 9, 2016, following which it was subsequently dissipated by Mr. Nwamba on the alleged direct instructions of the defendant.
The prosecution submitted that Ngwuta’s ability to procure four valid passports provides sufficient grounds to believe that if released on bail, he will abscond and consequently not surrender himself for trial.
Ngwuta was among seven superior court judges that were arrested between October 7 and 8, after the DSS raided their homes in what it was termed “a sting operation”. He was in the amended charge marked FHC/ABJ/C/232, and signed by a Principal State Counsel, Hajara H. Yusuf, alleged to have among other offences, stashed foreign currencies in his Abuja home. The Federal Government said the DSS, at the end of the operation conducted at his official residence, recovered several cash including N35, 358,000.00; $319,596.00 and 25,915 Pounds, among other foreign currencies.
The case has been adjourned to December 7 and 8 for trial.
BIG STORY
Christmas Celebrations: Police Arrest 23 Suspected Armed Robbers, Hoodlums, Kidnapper, Recover Dangerous Weapons [PHOTOS]
- As IGP Commends Officers For Vigilance, Commitment To Safety
In furtherance of the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM., to commands and formations to emplace unalloyed anti crime strategies towards ensuring adequate safety and security during this festive period, operatives of the Nigeria Police Force across several states in the country have successfully apprehended multiple groups of armed robbers, cultists and hoodlums targeting fun seekers and engaging in gangsterism during Christmas celebrations.
On the 25th of December 2024, at about 1am, the police operatives attached to Lagos State Command, received a distress call that a group of hoodlums armed with dangerous weapons was operating around the Safejo area of Amukoko, Lagos State. The swift response by the police operatives to the scene led to the arrest of 3 of the suspected hoodlums identified as Emmanuel Okoli ‘m’, 20 years, Ogunde Tejiri ‘m’, 20 years, and Emmanuel Orji ‘m’, 18 years, and also the recovery of the weapons they had used in carrying out robbery attacks on innocent funseekers in the area. The police have emplaced intensified searches to apprehend the fleeing members of the gang.
In a similar development, Police Operatives attached to Saminaka Division of the Kaduna State Command on 25th December 2024, at about 8pm, successfully apprehended one Sule Muhammad ‘m’, 25 years, who has been actively involved in multiple kidnapping incidents within the Saminaka area. Further investigation led to the recovery of a fabricated AK-47 rifle from the suspect. The suspect confessed to being a member of a notorious kidnapping gang who had been evading arrest since the arrest of other gang members on August 16, 2024, until his recent arrest on 25th December 2024. Following cooperation received from Muhammad, efforts are in top gear to apprehend other members of his gang and recover more arms and ammunition in their identified camp. Commendable efforts of the Nigeria Police Operatives have also been witnessed in states including Delta, Ogun Katsina, Benue, FCT and Imo, leading to the arrests of several suspects in various locations during the Christmas celebration period.
The IGP has commended the officers involved in these operations for their vigilance and commitment to public safety, highlighting their display of exemplary dedication in safeguarding our communities, especially during this joyful season. The IGP urges the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the authorities.
The IGP further assures citizens that the Force is fully committed to creating a safe environment for everyone as they partake in the joy and cheer of the holiday season. As the celebrations continue, the Nigeria Police Force remains steadfast in its mission to protect all citizens and ensure that the spirit of festivities during this period remains unmarred by criminal activities.
ACP OLUMUYIWA ADEJOBI, mnipr, mipra, fCAI,
FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
FORCE HEADQUARTERS,
ABUJA.
27TH DECEMBER 2024.
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