The trial of a suspended justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Sylvester Ngwuta was stalled yesterday after the judge made an application for time to prepare for his defence.
Justice Ngwuta was on November 21 arraigned at the Federal High Court in Abuja on a 16-count charge bordering on money laundering, concealment of property, and obtaining multiple travel passports following a raid of his home and other judges on October 8, 2016.
At the resumed hearing yesterday, Justice Ngwuta’s counsel, Kanu Agabi (SAN) informed the court that the defence has several documents to study in preparation for the case.
He cited the provisions of Section 36 (6) of the 1999 Constitution that the defence must be given adequate time and facility to defend himself, and asked the court to grant the application in the interest of justice.
But prosecution counsel, Charles Adeogun-Philips opposed the application, arguing that the court should not grant the adjournment as the case is of high profile nature.
In his ruling, Justice John Tsoho held that the defence is entitled to time as provided by Section 36 (6) (b) of the 1999 Constitution and adjourned the case to January 18 and 23, 2017 for commencement of trial.
