An Abuja High Court on Friday ordered the remand of former Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, in Kuje Correctional Centre, pending the ruling on his bail application.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission arraigned Ngige the same day over an alleged N2.2 billion fraud.
Ngige, who once served as governor of Anambra State, is facing eight counts related to fraud and receiving bribes.
The defendant governed Anambra under the Peoples Democratic Party from May 29, 2003, to March 17, 2006.
He later served as Minister of Labour and Employment under former President Muhammadu Buhari from 2015 to 2023. The EFCC arrested him on Wednesday.
He is being prosecuted for alleged offences linked to his tenure as minister. According to the EFCC, Ngige awarded seven contracts valued at more than N366 million “for consultancy, training and supply by the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF)” to Cezimo Nigeria Limited, a company owned by his associate, Ezebinwa Charles.
The agency further alleged that Ngige awarded eight contracts worth over N583 million to another company belonging to Charles.
The EFCC also accused him of giving preferential treatment by awarding eight contracts worth over N362 million to Jeff & Xris Limited, a company owned by Nwosu Chukwunwike.
Other companies the EFCC said benefited from contracts include Olde English Consolidated Limited and Shale Atlantic Intercontinental Services Limited, owned by Uzoma Igbonwa, which received N668 million and N161 million respectively.
According to the EFCC, the alleged offences violate Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
The anti-graft agency further accused Ngige of receiving financial benefits from NSITF contractors through “his organization, called Senator (Dr Chris Nwabueze Ngige Campaign Organization from Cezimo Nigeria Limited (Zenith Bank Account Number 1011901119).”
The EFCC also alleged that Ngige collected N38.6 million from Cezimo Nigeria Limited, N55 million from Zitacom Nigeria Limited, and N26 million from Jeff & Xris Limited.
According to the EFCC, these acts contravene Section 17(a) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, and are punishable under Section 17(c) of the same Act.
Ngige pleaded not guilty to all charges.
EFCC counsel, Sylvanus Tahir, SAN, requested a trial date and asked the court to remand Ngige in Kuje Custodial Centre.
However, defence counsel Patrick Ikwueto, SAN, noted that they were only notified of the arraignment the previous day and were unable to file a bail application. He urged the court to grant Ngige conditional bail on health grounds.
Ikwueto also attempted to seek an oral bail application on self-recognition, but Tahir argued that the court could not entertain both written and oral requests simultaneously.
Tahir also pointed out that Ngige had not submitted his international passport, which was part of previous bail terms.
Ikwueto replied that the passport had been stolen and said the EFCC had been notified by letter. Tahir denied receiving such information.
After hearing both sides, Justice Maryam Hassan ordered Ngige’s remand at Kuje Correctional Centre.
Justice Hassan then adjourned the case until Monday for the hearing and determination of his bail application.
