One of the federal judges whose house was earlier raided by the State Security Service SSS, Justice Sylvester Ngwuta has been granted bail in the sum of 100 million naira.
He was arraigned before Justice John Tsoho of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Monday on a sixteen count charge bordering on money laundering, multiple identities and falsification of age.
After weeks of speculation on when the seven arrested judges would be arraigned, Justice Sylvester Ngwuta, was the first to take the lead.
While arguing his bail application, counsel to Justice Ngwuta, Kanu Agabi SAN, brought a motion in accordance to Section 118(2) of the criminal justice act and section 36(4) of the 1999 constitution, which applies that he is prescribed innocent, until found guilty.
He added that his client was anxious to defend himself and remove the damage that is threatening to tarnish his image
Agabi pointed out that he was on Administrative bail and would attend his trials, if granted bail .
While objecting to the application, the Prosecution counsel , Charles Adeogun Philips, said there were sufficient grounds that the accused would interfere with potential witnesses and evidence.
He added that there was every likelihood that the Justice may conceal and destroy evidence.
He also informed the court that there was evidence that the accused had four passports, which he used to travel at will and twenty seven million naira, found in his bathroom at his residence at Abakiliki.
He gave his reasons for objecting to the bail application.
But the Presiding Judge granted Justice Ngwuta bail in the sum of one hundred million naira, and on self recognition as a justice of the supreme Court.
The case has been adjourned to the seventh of December for commencement of trial.
