Buhari, Supreme Court Mourn Justice Ngwuta

A Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Sylvester Ngwuta, on Sunday morning died from an undisclosed illness.

The chief registrar of the court, Hadizatu Uwani Mustapha, in a statement, disclosed that Ngwuta was admitted at the National Hospital, Abuja, a week ago.

She further stated that the deceased before he was moved to the intensive care unit of the hospital on Friday tested negative for the COVID-19.

She wrote, “His remain has been deposited in the National Hospital mortuary pending the arrangement for his burial.”

“May the late Hon. Justice Nwali Sylvester Ngwuta rests in perfect peace and grants his family, Judiciary and the apex court to bear the irreparable loss.”

President Muhammadu Buhari in a statement released through his spokesman, Femi Adesina, on Sunday condoled with Ngwuta’s family and friends over his death.

He noted that the death of Justice Ngwuta would leave a gap in the apex court considering his experience and dedication to the interpretation of the nation’s constitution.

The President added that Ngwuta lived and served Nigeria with his knowledge of the law, prayed that the almighty God accept his soul and comfort his family.

Recall that in October 2016, his home in Abuja was raided by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).

The secret police claimed it found hard currencies believed to be proceeds of corruption in his residence.

He was asked to step aside from his duties to face charges of money laundering brought against him at a federal high court in Abuja.

He also faced charges of false asset declaration at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT). Both cases were dismissed in 2018.