Former Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr. Chris Ngige, has been ordered to be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing of his bail application.
The order was issued on Friday by Justice Mariam Hassan of the Federal Capital Territory High Court after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned the former Anambra State governor on an eight-count charge bordering on corruption involving ₦2.2 billion.
Justice Hassan adjourned proceedings to Monday, December 15, for the formal hearing of the bail request.
During Friday’s session, EFCC counsel Sylvanus Tahir asked the court to fix a date for the commencement of trial.
He also urged the judge to permit Ngige to remain in EFCC custody pending the court’s decision on bail.
However, Ngige’s counsel objected, noting that the former minister had already spent three days in EFCC detention.
He described Ngige as a well-known public figure who last held office barely a year and three months ago and assured the court that the defence team was ready to meet any bail conditions set by the court.
He also informed the judge that the defendant was in poor health and required medical attention.
Ngige arrived at the FCT High Court around 8:10 am under EFCC escort before being formally arraigned. Court documents show he was listed as the sole defendant in charge number FCT/HC/CR/726/2025.
The EFCC alleged that Ngige, while serving as Minister of Labour and supervising the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), used his office to grant unlawful advantages to several companies linked to his associates.
According to the eight-count charge dated October 31 and filed on December 9:
Count One: He allegedly influenced the award of seven NSITF contracts worth ₦366,470,920.68 to Cezimo Nigeria Limited, owned by his associate Ezebinwa Amarachukwu Charles.
Count Two: He was accused of awarding eight contracts valued at ₦583,682,686.00 to Zitacom Nigeria Limited, also linked to Ezebinwa.
Count Three: Ngige allegedly facilitated the award of eight contracts amounting to ₦362,043,163.16 to Jeff & Xris Limited, owned by Nwosu Jideofor Chukwunwike, another associate.
Count Four: He was said to have used his position to help Olde English Consolidated Limited, owned by Uzoma Igbonwa, secure four NSITF contracts worth ₦668,138,141.00.
All alleged offences were said to have occurred between September 2015 and May 2023.
The court is expected to rule on Ngige’s bail application at the next hearing.
