Former Nigerian labour minister Chris Ngige was brought before an Abuja High Court in Gwarinpa on Friday on allegations of N2.2bn contract fraud, marking the most serious step yet in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s case against him.
Ngige, who served as Minister of Labour and Employment from 2015 to 2023, entered a not-guilty plea to eight counts linked to alleged abuse of office and the acceptance of benefits from contractors working with the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund. The charges cover the period he oversaw the fund as supervising minister.
Justice Maryam Hassan ordered that the former minister be held at the Kuje Correctional Centre until his bail application is heard on Monday December 14. The decision followed a request by EFCC counsel Sylvanus Tahir (SAN), who asked the court to remand Ngige and set a date for trial.
“In view of the not guilty plea entered by the defendant, we humbly apply for a trial date. We further pray that the accused person be remanded at Kuje pending the commencement of the full trial,” Tahir told the court.
Ngige’s lead counsel, Patrick Ikwueto (SAN), opposed the remand request and urged the court to release his client while the case proceeds. He argued that Ngige had already spent three days in EFCC custody before the arraignment and required medical attention.
“The defendant has taken his plea and your Lordship is now in full control of this trial. He has been in EFCC custody for the past three days. The issue of whether he will be granted bail is a right in our Constitution,” Ikwueto said. He added that Ngige’s public profile made him unlikely to flee.
He also stressed that the charges were not comparable to crimes such as terrorism or treason, saying, “It’s not like he ate the ministry’s money or that of the NSTIF. The trial will start, and we will see how those contracts were awarded.”
Ikwueto further told the judge that the defence had not been given time to file a counter-affidavit in response to the EFCC’s application.
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The EFCC countered the defence’s argument, insisting the alleged offences were significant and carried a possible sentence of at least five years if proven. “The offences with which the defendant was charged are by no means minute. They are rather enormous crimes,” the prosecution said.
Tahir also told the court that Ngige had failed to submit his international passport after he was authorised to travel for medical care in October, a point the prosecution said raised concerns about flight risk.
Justice Hassan adjourned the matter to December 14 for the bail hearing and ordered Ngige’s remand at Kuje. The trial is expected to test long-standing concerns about procurement practices and oversight within federal agencies.