DSS sting operation: FG files charges against Justice Ngwuta

The Federal Government, on Tuesday, filed a nine-count criminal charge of money laundering and corruption against a serving justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Sylvester Nwali Ngwuta.
The 65-year-old justice is currently on suspension.
Following allegations of corruption against Mr. Sylvester Nwali Ngwuta, the Department of State Security (DSS) started investigation into his activities which culminated in the execution of a search warrant in his official residence on October 8, 2016.
The defendant, in the information filed before the Federal High Court, Abuja by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), was alleged to have retained in his possession the sum of N35,358,000 contrary to the Money Laundering ( Prohibition) Act 2011 (as amended).
It was alleged that the defendant also retained in his possession the sum of $319,596 and 25, 915 pound sterling all of which, according to the prosecutors, formed part of the proceeds of unlawful act contrary to the Money Laundering Act.
Several sums of cash were allegedly recovered including N35.3 million, $319,596.00 25,915 pound sterling and 280.00 EURO. 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 Supreme Court judge was alleged to have obtained multiple passports contrary to Section 10 of the Immigration Act, 2015 and punishable under the same Section.
He 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.
One of the counts reads: “Sylvester Nwali Ngwuta, adult, “M”, 65 years of No. 2 Yellow Houses, Supreme Court Quarters, Off Shehu Shagari Way, Central District, Abuja, on or about the 8th day of October, 2016 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, retained in your possession the sum of N35, 358, 000.00 which sum forms part of the proceeds of an unlawful act and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15 (2) (d) OF the Money Laundering ( Prohibition) Act 2011 (as amended)”.
The case is yet to be assigned to a judge as at the time of filing in this report.