Corruption charge: Justice Ngwuta faces CCT July 12

By Paschal Njoku, Abuja

The trial of embattled Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Sylvester Ngwuta at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, sitting in Abuja, has been slated for July 12.
Chairman of the tribunal, Umar Danladi fixed the date following Ngwuta's arraignment by the Federal Government on a fresh 8-count corruption charge bordering on assets declaration, yesterday.
However, he denied any wrongdoing, prompting the FG to demand date for his trial.
Before now, the jurist was docked on November 21, 2016 on a 16-count charge at the Federal High Court Abuja before for money laundering offences contrary to Section 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2012 (as amended) and punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act.
But on March 16, 2017, he was rearraigned on an 11-count charge before Justice John Tsoho of the Federal High Court Abuja.
Justice Ngwuta, 65, who hails from Ebonyi state was initially arraigned on November 21, 2017 on a 16-count charge levelled against him by the Federal Government.
Ngwuta, 65, who hails from Ebonyi state is being prosecuted at the CCT for owning and running a private business as a public officer,
contrary to Section 6(b) of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act.
In the charge, the Federal Government alleged that Ngwuta failed to declare his assets as a public officer contrary to Section 15 of the Code of Conduct Bureau Act, Cap C15 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and Punishable under Section 23(2) of the same Act.
More so, he is being accused of not declaring ownership of 28 plots of land to the Code of Conduct Bureau in the assets declaration form he filled between June 2, 2011 and July 19, 2016 as well as hiding ownership of his five luxury cars.
Specifically, some of the charges against Justice Ngwuta stated that; "Between 2nd June 2011 and 19th July 2016, while serving as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria and within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Tribunal, did make a false declaration of assets" to the CCB when he failed to declare three duplexes at Chinedu Ogah Avenue, Ntezi, Aba in Abakaliki, while being a Justice of the Supreme Court.
He was also accused of engaging in purchase and sale of rice, palm oil and other related products, while being a Justice of the Supreme Court and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 6 of the Code Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, Cap C15 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and punishable under Section 23(2) of the same Act.
Furthermore, he was alleged to have between June 2, 2011 and July 19, 2016, while serving as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria made a false declaration to the CCB when he failed to declare twenty-two plots of land at Chief Igwe Uga Avenue, Abakaliki, as well as failed to declare six plots of land at Frank Okoroafor Avenue, Abakaliki.
Another allegation was that Ngwuta failed to declare a Peugeot Saloon with Vehicle No: VRG55513890295200 and Chassis No: VF34B5FV9BS069213, Registration No: ABC566RL.
In count five, it was alleged that Ngwuta failed to declare a Wrangler Jeep with Vehicle No: VRG55535620346898 and Chassis No:
IJ4GA591581626734, Registration No: RSH526AJ.
Back to his case at the Federal High Court, Ngwuta among other charges was alleged to have, on or about the 4th day of January 2016, transferred the total sum of One Hundred and Thirty Million denominated in, Naira and US Dollars, (N130,000,000.00) to Nwamba Linus Chukwuebuka, a Building Contractor, which sums formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2012 (as amended).