A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), sitting in Gwarinpa, yesterday ordered the remand of former Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, in Kuje Correctional Centre over alleged N2.2 billion contract fraud.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned the ex-minister on an eight-count charge bordering on abuse of office, conferment of undue advantage and unlawful receipt of financial benefits during his supervision of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) between 2015 and 2023.
Ngige, who was brought to court by operatives of the EFCC, pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
According to the anti-graft agency, the former minister allegedly manipulated contract awards running into billions of naira in favour of companies linked to his associates. The companies include Cezimo Nigeria Limited, Zitacom Nigeria Limited, Jeff & Xris Limited, Olde English Consolidated Limited and Shale Atlantic Intercontinental Services Limited.
He was further accused of receiving N38.6 million through the Chris Nwabueze Ngige Campaign Organisation, N55 million through the Chris Ngige Scholarship Scheme, and N26.1 million from various contractors as “gifts” while in office.
EFCC counsel, Sylvanus Tahir (SAN), urged the court to set a trial date and remand the defendant, insisting the offences were “grave” and carried a minimum penalty of five years’ imprisonment.
But defence counsel, Patrick Ikwueto (SAN), prayed the court to grant bail to his client on health grounds, noting that Ngige had been in EFCC custody for three days and required medical attention.
He argued that the alleged offences were not violent crimes, faulted the prosecution’s insistence on remand, and accused the EFCC of ignoring the correctional facility’s limited medical capacity.
Tahir countered that Ngige posed a flight risk, alleging that he failed to return his international passport after being allowed to travel for medical treatment in October.
Justice Maryam Hassan adjourned hearing on the bail application to Monday, December 14, and ordered Ngige’s remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the ruling.
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