FG slams nine-count charge on Justice Ngwuta

Forum 7 years ago

FG slams nine-count charge on Justice Ngwuta

The Federal Government yesterday filed a nine-count criminal charge of money laundering and corruption against 65-year-old Justice Sylvester Nwali Ngwuta.

Ngwuta, a serving justice of the Supreme Court, who is currently on suspension, was arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS).

The defendant, in the information filed before the Federal High Court, Abuja by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation, was alleged to have retained in his possession the sum of N35.358 million contrary to the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 (as amended).


FG is alleging that the defendant also retained in his possession the sum of $319,596.00 (USD) and (GBP) 25,915, all of which according to the prosecutors formed part of the proceeds of unlawful act contrary to the Money Laundering Act.

The search according to the prosecutors also revealed four diplomatic passports, one official and two standard Nigerian passports, all in the name of the defendant.

The accused judge was alleged to have obtained multiple passports contrary to Section 10 of the Immigration Act, 2015 and punishable under the same Section.

Ngwuta was alleged to have made false statement to the passport office concerning his date of birth for the purpose of procuring an additional Diplomatic Passport for himself.


He was also alleged to have in his possession two valid Diplomatic Passports and thereby committed an offence under Section 10 of the Immigration Act.

The case is yet to be assigned to a judge.