From Godwin Tsa, Abuja
Justice Sylvester Ngwuta of the Supreme Court yesterday told the Federal High Court, Abuja, that he is anxious to prove his innocence on the corruption charge preferred against him by the Federal Government.
This came as his trial was stalled following the non arrival of the exhibits intended to be used against him by the prosecution.
Government was prosecuting Justice Ngwuta on a 13-count amended charge bordering on corruption, money laundering and other financial crimes.
However, when the case came up, the lead prosecuting counsel from the Ministry of Justice, told the court that exhibits to be presented by the witness were not in court.
She pleaded for an adjournment to enable her time for the production of the said exhibits.
Although Ngwuta’s counsel did not oppose the request for an adjournment, he expressed his client’s readiness to face his trial.
He said: “My Lord, we are more anxious than the prosecution to go on with the case. The defendant is willing to defend himself and prove his innocence on merit.
“Any time the exhibit is in court, we are ready. But if you want to strike out the case I leave that to your discretion.”
Justice John Tsoho adjourned to May 25 and 26 for continuation of trial.
As soon as the adjournment was granted, some operatives of the Department of State Service (DSS), stormed the court with the said exhibits alleged to have been recovered from the house of the embattled Justice.
At Tuesday’s proceedings, a prosecution witness from the DSS told the court how his team conducted a search at the official residence of Justice Ngwuta leading to the discovery of bags filled with foreign currencies.
