Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has accused a Supreme Court Justice who was one of those arrested recently by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) for allegedly receiving bribe, Justice Sylvester Ngwuta of joining those who are out to destroy him.
We are aware of a well timed, heavily funded plot to “take out” Amaechi politically, and it appears that Justice Ngwuta and Justice Inyang Okoro (of the Supreme Court, who had also made similar made-up allegations against Amaechi), have wittingly or unwittingly been conscripted into this devious politics of “destroy Amaechi by all means.”
In a statement by his media office, the Transport minister said that Justice Ngwuta’s allegation as it concerns him is nothing but pure fiction, a dubious diversionary tale concocted to muddle the very serious issues of his arrest and investigation by the Department of State Services (DSS).
Amaechi said that did not and has never tried to lobby, induce or make the Justice Ngwuta to influence the outcome of any matter before the Supreme Court or any other court.
“The Hon. Justice Ngwuta’s narrative as it concerns Amaechi is simply not true, an unadulterated fallacy design to deceive and distract from the real issues of DSS investigation of acts of corruption against him.
“It’s indeed very sad and most unfortunate that the Hon. Justice Ngwuta had decided to drag the name of the Honourable Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), into his fabricated allegations. Again, We make bold to state that Amaechi did not and has never lobbied, approached or attempted to make the CJN or any other Justice of the apex court to influence the Supreme Court judgment on the Rivers State and Ekiti State Governorship Elections petition appeals or any other matter before the apex court or any other court.
“Within a space of 48 hours, we have observed a carefully planned and coordinated political attempt to drag Amaechi into the DSS arrest and investigation of judges in Nigeria.
“The aim of the plot is two-fold: to smear and politically destroy the image and reputation of Amaechi, and deceitfully portray him as the person behind the arrest of judges. This is indeed most ridiculous and callous.
Amaechi stressed that he is not and cannot be behind the arrest and investigation of the Justice Ngwuta, pleading that the embattled judge should leave alone and face the issues he has with the DSS.
The minister said that he is already talking with his lawyers and will explore lawful channels to seek redress for this gross defamation against his character and person. [myad]
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