Nigerian Government has disclosed that it is consolidating charges against judges accused of corruption.
Recall that the Department of State Services (DSS) operatives had some months ago arrested and commenced investigation of the indicted judges.
Those under investigation are two Supreme Court judges – Justices Sylvester Ngwuta and Inyang Okoro.
Former Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, Ilorin Division, Justice Mohammed Ladan Tsamiya; Justice Adeniyi Ademola (Federal High Court); the ex-Chief Judge of Enugu State, Justice I. A. Umezulike; Justice Kabiru Auta of Kano State High Court; Justice Muazu Pindiga (Gombe State High Court).
Others are Justice Bashir Sukola and Justice Ladan Manir, from the Kaduna State High Court; Justice Agbadu James Fishim (National Industrial Court); Justice Uwani Abba Aji Justices Mohammed Nasir Yunusa, Hyeladzira Ajiya Nganjiwa; Musa Haruna Kurya; and Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia (Federal High Court).
Already, some of them have been separately charged to different courts.
Speaking yesterday, Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, explained that the charges against Okoro and others yet to be arraigned were being strengthened based on new evidence.
The minister said that the Nigerian Government was assembling its witnesses against the accused persons to ensure the speedy conclusion of the cases.
“So far, we have not dropped any corruption case against any of the suspects. What has happened however, is that having stumbled on new evidence,” he told Vanguard.
“We are consolidating the charges so as to present a water-tight case against the suspects and prove to the world that these people are not being witch hunted as being alleged by some persons.
“We are taking that step mindful of the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, which require that all our witnesses must be ready before the commencement of trial. We don’t want to give room for any delay once the cases commences.
“In fact, we want to ensure that our witnesses are ready so that once the judge has fixed a date we can proceed to prove our cases against the suspects,” Malami added.
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