Former Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, was on Friday arraigned before an Abuja High Court sitting in Gwarinpa by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations of a ₦2.2 billion contract fraud.
Presiding judge, Justice Maryam Hassan, ordered that Ngige be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing of his bail application, which is scheduled for Monday, 14 December.
Ngige pleaded not guilty to eight counts bordering on abuse of office and the unlawful acceptance of gifts from contractors linked to the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), during his tenure as supervising minister between September 2015 and May 2023.
Following his plea, EFCC counsel, Sylvanus Tahir (SAN), requested a trial date and urged the court to remand the former minister in prison custody.
Tahir said, “In view of the not-guilty plea entered by the defendant, we respectfully apply for a trial date. We further request, my Lord, that the accused person be remanded at the Kuje facility pending the commencement of the full trial.”
However, Ngige’s lead counsel, Patrick Ikwueto (SAN), strongly opposed the EFCC’s request and pleaded with the court to grant his client bail on health grounds. He noted that
Ngige had already spent three days in EFCC custody prior to the court appearance.“The defendant has taken his plea, and your Lordship is now in full control of this trial,” Ikwueto argued. “He has been in custody for three days. The charge was only filed yesterday and assigned to this Court. Bail is his constitutional right, and he is not a flight risk. Even this morning, he reiterated his need for medical attention.”
Ikwueto added that the allegations against Ngige were not comparable to terrorism or treason offences that typically warrant strict bail conditions. He also complained that the defence was not given adequate time to respond to the EFCC’s application.
The prosecution countered, insisting that the charges were serious and should not be dismissed lightly. Tahir also informed the court that Ngige allegedly failed to return his international passport after travelling for medical treatment in October — a condition previously imposed on him.
After listening to both sides, Justice Hassan adjourned the matter to 14 December for the bail hearing and ordered Ngige’s remand in Kuje Correctional Centre.
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