A former Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr. Chris Ngige, has been remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja after he was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over an alleged ₦2.2 billion fraud.
Justice Mariam Hassan of the Federal Capital Territory High Court issued the remand order, adjourning the case until Monday, December 15, when the court will hear the former Anambra State governor’s bail application.
Ngige, the sole defendant in the eight-count charge marked FCT/HC/CR/726/2025, arrived at the court premises around 8:10 a.m., escorted by operatives of the EFCC.
According to the prosecution, the offences were allegedly committed during his tenure as the supervising Minister of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) between September 2015 and May 2023, under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
During proceedings, EFCC counsel Sylvanus Tahir requested a date for the commencement of the trial and urged the court to remand Ngige in the Commission’s custody pending the determination of his bail application.
However, Ngige’s counsel opposed the request, arguing that the former minister had already spent three days in EFCC custody. He described Ngige as a prominent public figure ready to fulfil any bail conditions imposed by the court.
The defence further cited concerns over Ngige’s health, stressing the need for appropriate medical attention.
The charges against Ngige allege that he used his office to confer undue advantages on four companies linked to his associates through the award of multiple NSITF contracts totalling more than ₦2.2 billion.
The counts include:
Count One: Alleged conferment of unfair advantage on Cezimo Nigeria Limited, associated with Ezebinwa Amarachukwu Charles, via seven contracts valued at ₦366,470,920.68.
Count Two: Alleged conferment of unfair advantage on Zitacom Nigeria Limited, also linked to Ezebinwa Amarachukwu Charles, through eight contracts worth ₦583,682,686.00.
Count Three: Alleged conferment of unfair advantage on Jeff & Xris Limited, associated with Nwosu Jideofor Chukwunwike, through eight contracts totalling ₦362,043,163.16.
Count Four: Alleged conferment of unfair advantage on Olde English Consolidated Limited, linked to Uzoma Igbonwa, through four contracts valued at ₦668,138,141.00.
Dr. Chris Ngige is expected to return to court on Monday, December 15, for the hearing of his bail application.
Credit: NaijaNews except headline
