The Federal Government on Thursday, arraigned a Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Sylvester Ngwuta before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) on an eight-count charge over allegations bordering on false and non-declaration of assets.
The charge accused the apex court Justice of failure to declare the following property: a parcel of land measuring 1,722.952 square meters at Umkpufu, off Onwe Road, Azuiyiokwu; Plot 36, Onwe Road Layout; and Plot 35 GRA Extension, all in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.
He was also alleged to be involved in trading while serving as a justice of the apex court and was also accused of false declaration of three Jeeps and a BMW 5 Series Saloon.
According to the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, Justice Ngwuta contravened section 15 of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, laws of the federation of Nigeria, which is punishable under section 23 (2) of the Act.
Shortly after the defendant took his plea, his lawyer, Kanu Agabi (SAN), applied orally that the Justice of the apex court be granted bail in self-recognizance.
The request was not opposed by the lead prosecuting counsel, Umar Muhammed, who is the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation.
The Chairman of the CCT, Justice Danladi Umar, however adjourned the matter for hearing to July 12, 2017.
