By Baron Ike
Justice Sylvester Ngwuta of the Supreme Court being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over abuse of office and corruption was on Monday, November 21 arraigned in court.
He pleaded not guilty to the charge against him.
He was however granted bail on self recognition in the sum of N100 million.
The Court presided over by Justice John Tsoho of an Abuja Federal High Court said there was no evidence before him from the prosecution to warrant not admitting Ngwuta to bail.
The prosecutor, Charles Philips opposed the application by the defence on the basis that Ngwuta has the capacity to tamper with the evidence of the case.
Kanu Agabi who has Ngwuta’s brief said they were glad of the opportunity to lay to rest all the rumours, scandals, conjectures, and slander around the sting operation carried out in the house of Ngwuta last month by operatives of the Directorate of State Services (DSS) where different types of currencies, foreign and local , we’re recovered.
Agabi lauded the government for the opportunity of bringing the matter to the court and said they were out to prove the innocence of the apex court’s Justice .
Ngwuta was among other Justices the DSS stormed their official residence and allegedly recovered large sums of money in their custody.
Opinion was divided over the sting operation and the readiness of government to prosecute the judges with many Nigerians kicking against it while others supported it.