Court grants Ngige bail in ‘N2bn fraud’ case
A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory sitting in Gwarinpa has granted bail to Chris Ngige, a former minister of labour and employment.
The presiding judge, Maryam Hassan, ruled that Ngige should remain on the administrative bail earlier granted to him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
However, the court directed that the former minister must produce a surety who is a serving director in the federal civil service. The surety is also required to own landed property and submit the property documents, alongside their travel documents, to the court. This condition will remain in force pending the recovery of Ngige’s international passport.
Ngige was initially granted administrative bail by the EFCC in October on self-recognition and one surety. He was permitted to travel abroad for medical treatment on the condition that he would surrender his international passport upon his return to Nigeria.
During the bail hearing, EFCC counsel, Sylvanus Tahir, opposed the application, informing the court that Ngige failed to submit his passport after returning to the country on November 19.
In response, Ngige’s lawyer, Patrick Ikwueto, told the court that his client had formally notified the EFCC that he was robbed while in London. According to the defence, the incident resulted in the loss of valuable items, including his international passport and cash.
Ngige was arraigned on Friday on an eight-count charge bordering on abuse of office, contract fraud and receipt of gratification.
According to the charge filed on October 31, the anti-graft agency alleged that the former minister abused his office by awarding multiple contracts to associates and companies linked to him while serving as supervising minister of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF).
The EFCC alleged that between September 2015 and May 2023, Ngige approved seven consultancy, training and supply contracts awarded to Cezimo Nigeria Limited, valued at N366.47 million. The company’s managing director, Ezebinwa Amarachukwu Charles, was described as an associate of the former minister.
The commission further alleged that Zitacom Nigeria Limited, also managed by Ezebinwa, received eight contracts worth N583.68 million for similar services.
Another firm, Jeff & Xris Limited, owned by Nwosu Jideofor Chukwunwike, was said to have secured eight contracts valued at N362.04 million.
Olde English Consolidated Limited, led by Uzoma Igbonwa, allegedly received four contracts for consultancy, training and construction totalling N668.14 million, while Shale Atlantic Intercontinental Services Limited, also linked to Igbonwa, was said to have obtained four contracts valued at N161.6 million.
The EFCC further accused Ngige of corruptly receiving N38.65 million through the Chris Nwabueze Ngige Campaign Organisation from Cezimo Nigeria Limited, a contractor to the NSITF. He was also alleged to have received N55 million through an organisation known as the Senator (rtd) Chris Ngige Scholarship Scheme from Zitacom Nigeria Limited, another NSITF contractor.
The offences are said to contravene Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
