Following the Department of State Services, DSS’ sting operation which led to the arrest of seven judges, the DSS has uncovered more assets in its ongoing investigation
According to sources, the DSS found out that one of the arrested judges purchased and imported a Rolls Royce vehicle which is part of his fleet of 15 cars.
The judge implicated in the fresh revelation was also reported to have erected a massive mansion which most of its construction materials were imported from around the world including Brazil, Argentina and Spain.
Another of the arrested judges claimed that he did not know how the sum of N18million materialized into his bank account as he was not subscribed to an alert service.
Another defended himself saying the money in his account is nothing but an accumulated medical allowance.
The arrested include: Justices Sylvester Ngwuta and Inyang Okoro – the suspended Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, Ilorin Division, Justice Mohammed Ladan Tsamiya, who was picked up in Sokoto; Justice Adeniyi Ademola (Federal High Court); the Chief Judge of Enugu State, Justice I. A. Umezulike; Justice Kabiru Auta of Kano State High Court; and Justice Muazu Pindiga (Gombe State High Court).
Speaking on the invetsigation, a source according to The Nation said: “Operatives have discovered that one of the judges owns a mansion which was contracted to a construction firm at a huge cost. In fact, the judge imported furniture from Brazil, Argentina and Spain.
“At a stage, he conducted his ‘poor colleagues’ round the mansion in an open display of affluence. The judge has about 15 cars, including a Rolls Royce. This Rolls Royce was imported.
“During interrogation, another judge told DSS team that he did not know how and when N18million was lodged in his account because he was not getting alert from his bank. But we have evidence of withdrawals from the account.”
The source further added: “We have retrieved the assets declaration forms of these judges. It was shocking that one of them has three asset declaration forms with different dates of birth.”
The source noted that the judges would be suspended as they could not be facing criminal cases and adjudicate other cases adding that “they were actually caught in the act”.
“The position of the government is that none of these judges will be allowed back to the bench in the interest of the nation’s Judiciary. They cannot be arraigned in the dock and at the same time be adjudicating or attending to cases.
“It is left to the NJC to allow the affected judges to keep off the bench until their fate is determined. But certainly, they will face trial and the outcome will determine whether or not they will be retired or dismissed.
“We are expecting the NJC to do the needful by suspending the judges.”