Justice Ngwuta: arraigned on charges of false assets declaration charges

The Federal High Court, Abuja, has ordered that the money recovered from the home of Supreme Court Judge, Justice Sylvester Ngwuta, be deposited in the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Justice John Tsoho gave the order on Thursday after admitting in evidence, nine bags and boxes containing the money.

The prosecuting counsel, Mrs Olufemi Fatunde, led the fifth prosecution witness, Mr John Otaze, an operative of the Department of State Security (DSS) to tender the bags and boxes in evidence.

Otazi told the court that he led a team of DSS operatives to conduct a search on Ngwuta’s residence.

He said that various sums of money in both local and foreign currencies were recovered, including N35 million, £35, 915; $319,096; 50 South African rands, €280, 000, 380 Dirhams and 420 Dalasis.

Tsoho adjourned the matter until May 26 for cross-examination of the witness.

Ngwuta, a judicial officer, is facing a 12-count charge bordering on money laundering, retention and concealment of various sums of money in local and foreign currencies.

Ngwuta is also charged with giving various sums of money above the statutory threshold to his building contractor for the building of various houses without going through a financial institution. (NAN)