‎I’m Innocent, Anxious to Defend Myself – Justice Ngwuta

A serving Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Sylvester Ngwuta, who is being prosecuted before a Federal High Court in Abuja on money laundering and passport fraud charges, said on Wednesday that he was innocent and anxious to defend himself.

He spoke through his lawyer, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), following a request for adjournment by the prosecution on Wednesday.

The lead prosecuting counsel, Mrs. Olufemi Fatunde, had earlier on Tuesday requested an adjournment till Wednesday to enable to the prosecution to produce some certain exhibits in court.

A Staff Officer of the Department of State Service, Mr. John Utazi, through whom the prosecution sought to tender the said exhibits, had started his testimony on Tuesday and was scheduled to continue on Wednesday in anticipation that the exhibits would have arrived court.

But after the case was called and lawyers announced appearances on Wednesday, the lead prosecutor, Fatunde, expressed regret that she would have to seek an adjournment due to the unavailability of the exhibits being expected.

She said, “I am still waiting for the exhibits.

“The exhibits are not here for reasons unknown to me. Till now the exhibits have not arrived.

“My lord pray for the short adjournment.”