Accused Supreme Court Justice Granted Bail

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(Pix. courtesy: NAIJ)

By Sadiq Umar – A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has granted bail to the Justice of the Supreme Court, Sylvester Ngwuta who is standing trial on corruption charges.

“It is my view that it will defeat the essence of justice to prevent the accused from attaining to his bail, with regards to the allegations. I hold the respective view that the offences are bailable,” said Justice John Tsoho while ruling on the bail application.

justice-sylvester-nguta

Justice Ngwuta who was arrested by the DSS operatives October 8, 2016, alongside six others, was arraigned Monday on 15-count charge, including alleged fraud and concealment of evidence of corruption.

He is also accused of being in possession of different international passport with different biography data, among others.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges pressed against him in the court presided by Justice John Tsoho.

His Counsel, Mr. Kanu Agabi (SAN) moved application for the accused bail, but, Justice Tsoho stood down the motion in order to accommodate a counter motion.

The prosecution counsel, Charles Adeogun, objected to the bail application, saying Mr. Nguta was capable of interfering with witnesses and concealing documents that could incriminate him.

The trial judge, Tsoho, said the application was also allowed based on self recognizance, since the defendant was in court and given his status as a Supreme Court Justice.

Mr. Tsoho said although allegations of culpability in impeding cause of justice have been made against the defendant, his court was not aware of any official document revoking his administrative bail, based on the alleged offences.

The case has been adjourned to December 7 for hearing.

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