A Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday granted bail to Justice Sylvester Ngwuta, a Justice of the Supreme Court, charged with money laundering and judicial misconduct.
Justice John Tsoho granted the bail in the sum N100 million and on a self-recognition being a judge of the Supreme Court.
Ngwuta is one of the seven judges arrested by Department of State Service (DSS) operatives on October 8 after a midnight raid.
The bail granted was sequel to a bail application filed by defence counsel, Kanu Agabi (SAN).
Agabi had earlier urged the court to use it judicial power contained in Section 118(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), Section 6 of the 1999 constitution to grant the defendant bail.
He argued that the allegations preferred against the defendant were all bail-able, and that the court should also consider Section 32, 158 and 162 of the ACJA to grant the bail.
Agabi also prayed the court to consider Section 35(4) and Section 36(4) of the 1999 Constitution which presumed the defendant/applicant innocent until proven otherwise.
He, therefore, prayed the court to admit his client to bail on liberal terms, adding that he will not interfere with investigation nor destroy evidence if granted bail.
Prosecution counsel, Charles Adeogun-Phillips, however, opposed the bail application, arguing that the offences were grievous.
Adeogun-Phillips submitted that the defendant applicant could interfere with the trial if granted bail.
“There are sufficient grounds that the applicant will interfere with investigation and destroy the prosecution’s evidence.
“There must be consequences for wrong conduct. I, therefore, urge the court to dismiss the application and allow for accelerated hearing instead,” he said.
Justice Tsoho thereafter fixed December 7 and 8 for commencement of trial.
