Ngige (blue suit and dark spectacles) in court | Photo: Channels TV
A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) high court in Gwarimpa, Abuja, has ordered that Chris Ngige, former minister of labour and employment, remains in Kuje Correctional Centre till December 18, pending ruling on his bail application.
Maryam Hassan, the presiding judge, issued the order on Monday, after taking arguments from both the prosecution and defence on Ngige’s bail application.
Patrick Ikwueto, counsel to Ngige, prayed the court to admit his client to bail for several reasons, especially on health grounds.
Ikwueto told the court that the former minister would not jump bail or interfere with witnesses.
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However, Sylvanus Tahir, counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), opposed the bail request, insisting that Ngige was a flight risk.
He told the court that the defendant was granted administrative bail by the anti-graft agency and allowed to travel abroad for medical care but never reported back.
He added that the former minister never returned his international passport which was released to him to facilitate the trip abroad.
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Tahir told the court that Ngige claimed he lost his passport after his rearrest. He prayed the court to dismiss the bail application.
After the submissions, the judge adjourned till December 18 to deliver a ruling on the bail application.
BACKGROUND
Ngige was arraigned on Friday before Hassan on an eight-count charge bordering on misuse of office, contract fraud and receiving gratification.
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In the charge dated October 31, the commission alleged that the former minister used his position to confer undue advantage by awarding multiple contracts to associates and companies linked to him.
The EFCC alleged 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 N366,470,920.68.
The company’s managing director, Ezebinwa Amarachukwu Charles, is described as an associate of the former minister.
The offence, according to the anti-graft agency, violates section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
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The charge sheet also lists other companies that allegedly benefited from contracts approved under Ngige.
Zitacom Nigeria Limited, whose managing director (MD)/chief executive officer (CEO) is Ezebinwa, was said to have received eight contracts for supply, training and consultancy worth N583,682,686.
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Jeff & Xris Limited, owned by Nwosu Jideofor Chukwunwike, allegedly secured eight contracts valued at N362,043,163.16.
Olde English Consolidated Limited, led by Uzoma Igbonwa, was listed as receiving four contracts for consultancy, training and construction totalling N668,138,141.
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Shale Atlantic Intercontinental Services Limited, also linked to Igbonwa, allegedly received another four contracts worth N161,604,625.
The former Anambra governor was also alleged to have corruptly accepted a N38,650,000 gift through the Chris Nwabueze Ngige Campaign Organisation from Cezimo Nigeria Limited (Zenith Bank Account Number 1011901119), a contractor with the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF).
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He was also said to have received another N55,003,000 gift through his organisation called Senator (r) Chris Ngige Scholarship Scheme from Zitacom Nigeria Limited (Zenith Bank Account Number 1017263219), a contractor with the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF).
Upon arraignment, Ngige pleaded not guilty to all the counts.
