Former Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, was on Friday arraigned before an Abuja High Court in Gwarinpa by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged involvement in a N2.2 billion contract fraud.
Justice Maryam Hassan ordered that Ngige be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing of his bail application, scheduled for Monday, December 14. The former minister pleaded not guilty to eight counts bordering on abuse of office and receiving gifts from contractors of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) during his tenure as supervising minister from 2015 to 2023.
Following the plea, EFCC counsel Sylvanus Tahir (SAN) requested a trial date and urged the court to remand the defendant. “In view of the not guilty plea entered by the defendant, we humbly apply for the trial date. We further pray my Lord that the accused person be remanded at the Kuje prison pending the commencement of the full trial,” he said.
Defence counsel Patrick Ikwueto (SAN) opposed the request, urging the court to grant Ngige bail on health grounds. He noted that the former minister had been in EFCC custody for three days and required medical attention. He argued that Ngige was a well-known public figure who posed no flight risk and that the allegations did not warrant harsh bail conditions.
Ikwueto further contended that the defence had not been given time to file a counter-affidavit to the prosecution’s application. He also emphasised that the charges were neither terrorism nor treason-related, saying the court should not treat the case as if it involved violent crime.
The prosecution dismissed the defence’s arguments, cautioning against trivialising the charges. It told the court that the offences carried significant penalties, including a minimum five-year prison term if proven. The EFCC also accused Ngige of failing to return his international passport after being permitted to travel for medical treatment in October.
Justice Hassan adjourned the case until December 14 and ordered Ngige’s remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre.
