Court orders money recovered from Justice Ngwuta’s residence deposited in CBN

Judge Sylvester Ngwuta

The Federal High Court, Abuja, has ordered that the money recovered from the home of Supreme Court Judge, Sylvester Ngwuta, be deposited in the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Justice John Tsoho gave the order on Thursday after admitting in evidence, nine bags and boxes containing the money.
The prosecuting counsel, Olufemi Fatunde, led the fifth prosecution witness, John Otaze, an operative of the State Security Service, SSS, to tender the bags and boxes in evidence.
Mr. Otazi told the court that he led a team of SSS operatives to conduct a search on Mr. Ngwuta’s residence.
He said various sums of money in local and foreign currencies were recovered, including N35 million, £35, 915; $319,096; 50 South African rands, €280, 000, 380 Dirhams and 420 Dalases.
Mr. Tsoho adjourned the matter until May 26 for cross examination of the witness.
Mr. Ngwuta is facing a 12-count charge bordering on money laundering, retention and concealment of various sums of money in local and foreign currencies.
He is also charged with giving various sums of money above the statutory threshold to his building contractor for the building of various houses without going through a financial institution.




Source: NAN