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 over allegations of N2.2bn contract fraud.
Justice Maryam Hassan ordered that Ngige be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing of his bail application, scheduled for Monday, December 14.
Ngige pleaded not guilty to eight counts bordering on abuse of office and the acceptance of gifts from contractors of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund 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 view of the not guilty plea entered by the defendant, we humbly apply for the trial date. We further pray my Lord that the accused person be remanded at the Kuje prison pending the commencement of the full trial,” he said.
However, defence lead counsel, Patrick Ikwueto (SAN), opposed the request and sought bail for his client on health grounds. He informed the court that Ngige had been in EFCC custody for three days prior to the arraignment and required medical attention.
“The defendant has taken his plea, and your lordship is now in full control of this trial. The defendant is not an unknown person in this country… I urge your Lordship to grant the defendant bail, and we are ready to meet any conditions. Even this morning, he mentioned how he needs to go to the hospital,” Ikwueto stated.
He also argued that the charges did not warrant denying bail, noting they were not terrorism or treason-related offences. “It’s not like he ate the ministry’s money or that of NSITF… It’s not a terrorism charge or treason offence,” he added.
Ikwueto further contested the EFCC’s position, saying the defence was not given time to file a counter-affidavit.
The prosecution countered that the alleged offences were serious and should not be trivialised. “The offences with which the defendant was charged are by no means minute; they are enormous crimes that, if found guilty, could earn him not less than five years in prison,” the EFCC stated. The prosecution also told the court that Ngige had failed to return his international passport after being allowed to travel for medical treatment in October.
After hearing both sides, Justice Hassan adjourned the matter to December 14 for the bail hearing and ordered Ngige’s remand in Kuje Correctional Centre.
