Former Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chris Ngige, has been remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre as his bail application awaits hearing in a high-profile ₦2.2 billion corruption case.
The order was issued on Friday by Justice Mariam Hassan of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Gwarinpa, following Ngige’s arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on an eight-count charge. The bail hearing has been scheduled for Monday, 15 December 2025.
Ngige arrived at the court premises around 8:10 a.m., accompanied by EFCC officials. During the proceedings, EFCC counsel Sylvanus Tahir requested that the court fix a date for the trial and remand the former minister in EFCC custody pending the bail hearing.
In his defense, Ngige’s counsel noted that the ex-minister had already spent three days in EFCC detention. He argued that Ngige, a well-known public figure who served in office until just over a year ago, is not a flight risk. The defense also emphasized that Ngige’s health is a concern and urged the court to consider his public service record in determining bail conditions.
The charges, marked FCT/HC/CR/726/2025, allege that Ngige committed the offences while serving as Minister of Labour under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Count One: Ngige allegedly used his position as supervising minister of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) to confer an unfair advantage on Cezimo Nigeria Limited, linked to Ezebinwa Amarachukwu Charles, by awarding seven contracts for consultancy, training, and supply worth ₦366,470,920.68.
Count Two: He allegedly granted eight NSITF contracts worth ₦583,682,686.00 to Zitacom Nigeria Limited, also associated with Ezebinwa.
Count Three: Ngige is accused of conferring undue advantage on Jeff & Xris Limited, linked to Nwosu Jideofor Chukwunwike, through eight contracts valued at ₦362,043,163.16.
Count Four: He allegedly favoured Olde English Consolidated Limited, led by Uzoma Igbonwa, with four contracts for consultancy, training, and construction worth ₦668,138,141.00.
The EFCC maintains that these alleged acts violate the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
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