A Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Gwarinpa, Abuja, has granted bail to Chris Ngige, former minister of labour and employment, who is standing trial over alleged financial improprieties.
Delivering the ruling, Justice Maryam Hassan ordered that Ngige should continue on the administrative bail earlier granted to him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
However, the court imposed additional conditions, directing that he must produce a surety who is a serving director in the federal civil service.
The judge further ruled that the surety must own landed property and deposit the relevant title documents, along with their travel documents, with the court. This arrangement will remain in force pending the completion of efforts by Ngige to retrieve his own international passport.
The EFCC had initially granted the former minister administrative bail in October on self-recognisance and one surety. He was also permitted to travel abroad for medical treatment, on the condition that he would surrender his passport immediately upon his return to Nigeria.
Opposing the bail application, the prosecution counsel, Sylvanus Tahir, told the court that Ngige failed to submit his passport after returning to the country on November 19.
In response, Ngige’s counsel, Patrick Ikwueto, explained that his client had formally notified the EFCC that he was robbed while in London. According to him, valuable items—including his international passport, documents and cash—were stolen during the incident.
Background
Ngige was arraigned on Friday before Justice Hassan on an eight-count charge bordering on abuse of office, contract fraud and receipt of gratification.
In the charge dated October 31, the EFCC alleged that the former minister abused his position to confer undue advantage by awarding multiple contracts to associates and companies linked to him.
The anti-graft agency claimed that between September 2015 and May 2023, Ngige, while serving as supervising minister of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), approved seven contracts for consultancy, training and supply to Cezimo Nigeria Limited, valued at ₦366,470,920.68.
The company’s managing director, Ezebinwa Amarachukwu Charles, was described as an associate of the former minister.
The alleged offences are said to contravene Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
According to the charge sheet, other companies also allegedly benefited from contracts approved under Ngige’s supervision. Zitacom Nigeria Limited, also managed by Ezebinwa, reportedly received eight contracts for supply, training and consultancy worth ₦583,682,686.
Jeff & Xris Limited, owned by Nwosu Jideofor Chukwunwike, allegedly secured eight contracts valued at ₦362,043,163.16, while Olde English Consolidated Limited, led by Uzoma Igbonwa, was said to have received four contracts for consultancy, training and construction amounting to ₦668,138,141.
Another company linked to Igbonwa, Shale Atlantic Intercontinental Services Limited, was alleged to have obtained four additional contracts worth ₦161,604,625.
The former Anambra State governor was also accused of corruptly receiving ₦38,650,000 through the Chris Nwabueze Ngige Campaign Organisation from Cezimo Nigeria Limited, a contractor with the NSITF.
He was further alleged to have received ₦55,003,000 through an organisation known as the Senator (rtd.) Chris Ngige Scholarship Scheme from Zitacom Nigeria Limited—also an NSITF contractor.
Ngige has pleaded not guilty to all the charges, and the case continues.
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