A Federal Capital Territory high court has ordered the remand of former Minister of Labour and Productivity Chris Ngige in Kuje prison while the court considers his request for bail.
Gatekeepers News reports that he appeared before Justice Maryam Hassan on Friday to face an eight-count charge, including alleged contract fraud, misuse of office, and receiving gratification.
According to the charge sheet dated October 31, the EFCC accused the former minister of using his position to give improper advantages through contract approvals linked to his associates.
The commission said that between September 2015 and May 2023, Ngige, who served as supervising minister of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, approved several consultancy, training, and supply contracts worth hundreds of millions of naira for companies connected to close associates.
Cezimo Nigeria Limited was listed as receiving contracts valued at over N366 million. Zitacom Nigeria Limited was reported to have secured eight contracts worth more than N583 million.
Jeff & Xris Limited allegedly received contracts totalling over N362 million, while Olde English Consolidated Limited was said to have been awarded four contracts valued at more than N668 million.
Shale Atlantic Intercontinental Services Limited was also listed among beneficiaries.
EFCC further alleged that Ngige accepted financial gifts from some of these companies through his campaign organisation and scholarship scheme, including transfers of N38,650,000 and N55,003,000.
Ngige pleaded not guilty to all charges during his arraignment. Prosecuting counsel Sylvanus Tahir asked the court to keep the defendant in custody and set a date for the trial.
However, Ngige’s lawyer, Patrick Ikwueto, informed the court that he had already filed a bail application and urged the judge to consider an oral request since his client had been in EFCC custody for three days and was unwell.
Tahir opposed the application, arguing that Ngige posed a flight risk. He said the former minister had travelled for medical treatment on the condition that he would return his international passport after arriving in Nigeria, but had not complied.
In response, Ikwueto said his client reported to the EFCC that he was robbed in London and lost important documents, including his passport, and returned home using a travel certificate.
Justice Hassan ruled that Ngige should remain in Kuje prison and set Monday, November 15, for the hearing of his bail application. She also directed that he be allowed access to medical care while in custody.
