FG’s Lawyer, withdraws from Justice Ngwuta’s trial

The trial of a Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Sylvester Nwali Ngwuta on corruption related offences suffered a setback on Thursday, when a counsel, Charles Adeogun-Philips engaged from the International Criminal Court (ICC), by the Federal Government to conduct the prosecution opted out of the matter.

Adeogun-Philips engaged for the high profile corruption case due to his wide experience in criminal matters from the ICC announced his dramatic withdrawal without given any reason.

Shortly after the case was announced for continuation of the trial of Justice Ngwuta, the counsel grabbed the microphone and informed the trial judge, Justice John Tsoho of the Federal High Court in Abuja that he was withdrawing his appearance in the matter for his client.

Although, Justice Tsoho did not inquire into what informed the action of the counsel, he however showered encomiums on him for having the courtesy to physically come before the court to announce his withdrawal.

In other not to create vacuum in the trial, a new counsel, Hajara Yusuf quickly announced her appearance as replacement for the ICC lawyer to lead the prosecution team.

She told the court that the prosecution was prepared for the day’s business which is the cross examination of the first Prosecution Witness (PW1).

However, under cross examination by Kanu Agabi (SAN), counsel to the defendant, the Prosecution Witness Chukwuebuka Linus informed the court that he believed the job he was contracted to do by the defendant was legitimate.

The witness also said, he would not have accepted payment for his services if he had suspected the money were proceeds of crime, adding that he went ahead with the job after the defendant explained the sources of his money.

Linus, who said he did not report Ngwuta to the Police or any security agency told the court that nobody complained about the vehicles and monies he moved out of Ngwuta’s residence.

While he told the court that he was arrested and detained for seven days, the witness however stated that he has not been charged with any offence, adding that he did not consider his detention justified.

When asked if he made statement during his detention and how many, he said he only remembered making statements in the first and second day of his detention.

When put to him that the job he undertook for Justice Ngwuta was done in the open and that Ngwuta did not attempt to hide his wealth, he said yes, adding that even his own document on the transaction were in the open and there was nothing illegal in them.

The witness also admitted to having trust and respect for the defendant, particularly throughout the period of his engagement.

When the defence counsel finished with the cross examination of the witness and the prosecution was called upon to re-examine the witness, she requested for a short adjournment to enable the prosecution constitute a new prosecution team.

Justice Tsoho granted the request and adjourned the matter till February 13, 2017 for re-examination of the witness.