A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of Dr. Chris Ngige, the former Minister of Labour and Productivity, in Kuje Prison pending the hearing of his bail application.
Ngige was arraigned on Friday before Justice Maryam Hassan on an eight-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The charges centre on alleged abuse of office, contract fraud and receiving unlawful gifts while supervising the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) during his time as minister.
According to the charge, the EFCC alleges that between September 2015 and May 2023, Ngige used his position to award several NSITF contracts to companies linked to his associates.
These include: Cezimo Nigeria Limited – seven contracts valued at ₦366.4 million, Zitacom Nigeria Limited – eight contracts worth ₦583.6 million, Jeff & Xris Limited – eight contracts worth ₦362 million, Olde English Consolidated Limited – four contracts totalling ₦668.1 million, and Shale Atlantic Intercontinental Services Limited – four contracts worth ₦161.6 million.
The EFCC also alleges that Ngige received ₦38.6 million through the Chris Nwabueze Ngige Campaign Organisation from Cezimo Nigeria Limited, and another ₦55 million through the Senator Chris Ngige Scholarship Scheme from Zitacom Nigeria Limited.
Ngige pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
EFCC counsel Sylvanus Tahir asked the court to remand the former minister in prison and set a trial date, describing Ngige as a potential flight risk.
However, Ngige’s lawyer, Patrick Ikwueto, urged the court to grant his client bail. He told the court that Ngige had been in EFCC custody for three days and was unwell. He added that the former minister had complied with all EFCC conditions, including administrative bail.
The prosecution opposed the request, stating that Ngige failed to return his international passport after traveling abroad for medical treatment. In response, Ikwueto said his client wrote to the EFCC explaining that he was robbed in London and lost his passport. He said Ngige returned to Nigeria using a travel certificate.
Justice Hassan ruled that the court needed to hear the formal bail application before taking a decision. She ordered that Ngige be remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre and adjourned the case to Monday, 15 December, for the bail hearing. She also directed that he be allowed access to medical care while in custody.
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