… Agree to drop nine charges
The prosecution in the trial of Justice Sylvester Ngwuta of the
Supreme Court agreed on Wednesday that a substantial portion of the
charge against the judicial officer be struck out.
Although the lead prosecution lawyer, Mrs. Olufemi Fakunle,
objected to an application filed by Justice Ngwuta that the entire
13-count charge against him be struck out, she conceded that all
other charges except counts 3, 10, 11 and 13 should be dropped.
Justice Ngwuta was arraigned before the Federal High Court,
Abuja, in November 2016 on a 16-count charge of money laundering
and possession of multiple international passports.
At a point in the trial, the prosecution amended the charges
twice, reducing them to 13.
On January 11 this year, Justice Ngwuta filed an application,
challenging the continuation of his trial following the recent
judgment of the Court of Appeal in the case of Justice Hyeladzira
Nganjiwa of the Federal High Court.
Arguing the application on Wednesday, Justice Ngwuta’s lawyer,
Kanu Agabi (SAN), said by virtue of the Court of Appeal’s decision
in Justice Nganjiwa case, the Federal High Court no longer has the
requisite jurisdiction to continue with his client’s trial.
… Agree to drop nine charges
The prosecution in the trial of Justice Sylvester Ngwuta of the
Supreme Court agreed on Wednesday that a substantial portion of the
charge against the judicial officer be struck out.
Although the lead prosecution lawyer, Mrs. Olufemi Fakunle,
objected to an application filed by Justice Ngwuta that the entire
13-count charge against him be struck out, she conceded that all
other charges except counts 3, 10, 11 and 13 should be dropped.
Justice Ngwuta was arraigned before the Federal High Court,
Abuja, in November 2016 on a 16-count charge of money laundering
and possession of multiple international passports.
At a point in the trial, the prosecution amended the charges
twice, reducing them to 13.
On January 11 this year, Justice Ngwuta filed an application,
challenging the continuation of his trial following the recent
judgment of the Court of Appeal in the case of Justice Hyeladzira
Nganjiwa of the Federal High Court.
Arguing the application on Wednesday, Justice Ngwuta’s lawyer,
Kanu Agabi (SAN), said by virtue of the Court of Appeal’s decision
in Justice Nganjiwa case, the Federal High Court no longer has the
requisite jurisdiction to continue with his client’s trial.
Read more https://nairalaw.com/prosecution-admits-error-in-justice-ngwutas-case/