The Federal Government on Thursday arraigned suspended justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Sylvester Ngwuta before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Abuja, over alleged false declaration of assets.
Ngwuta risk forfeiting his asset to the Federal Government, if found guilty by the CCT.
Ngwuta was alleged to have engaged in purchase and sale of rice, palm oil and other related products, while serving as justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
In the eight counts criminal charge preferred against Ngwuta, the FG accused the defendant of engaging in private business as a public officer contrary to Section 6 of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act and punishable under Section 23 of the same Act.
The arraignment started at about 10: 20 am Thursday and the defendant, who has been suspended from service, was seen inside the dock, before he was granted bail on self recognisance by CCT Chairman, Mr Danladi Umar.
Ngwuta was represented by Kanu Agabi (SAN), who led 26 other lawyers, while prosecution was represented by the Director, Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPP), Mr Muhammed Umar, who led five other lawyers.
The defendant was alleged to have committed the offence between June 2, 2011 and July 19, 2016 within the jurisdiction of the CCT.
He was alleged to have made false declaration of asset and said to have failed to declare some landed properties. He was further alleged to have failed to declare some of his vehicles including a BMW, Wrangler and Humer jeeps.
Mr Umar has fixed July 12 for hearing.
