The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will today arraign former Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, on an eight-count charge bordering on corruption and abuse of office.
Ngige, who also served as Governor of Anambra State, is expected to appear before a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Gwarimpa, Abuja.
He is the sole defendant in the case, listed as FCT/HC/CR/726/2025.
The charges, dated October 31 and filed on December 9 by a team of EFCC prosecutors led by Sylvanus Tahir (SAN), accuse the former minister of awarding multiple contracts to companies allegedly linked to his associates while he supervised the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) between September 2015 and May 2023 under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
In the first charge, Ngige is accused of using his office to grant undue advantage to Cezimo Nigeria Limited, headed by his associate Ezebinwa Amarachukwu Charles.
The NSITF reportedly awarded seven consultancy, training and supply contracts to the firm valued at N366,470,920.68.
Count two alleges a similar offence involving Zitacom Nigeria Limited, also owned by Ezebinwa, to which eight contracts worth N583,682,686 were allegedly awarded.
In count three, Ngige is accused of influencing the award of eight contracts totalling N362,043,163.16 to Jeff & Xris Limited, managed by his associate Nwosu Jideofor Chukwunwike.
Count four concerns Olde English Consolidated Limited, owned by Uzoma Igbonwa, which allegedly received four contracts worth N668,138,141 through Ngige’s influence.
In count five, Ngige is further accused of favouring another Igbonwa-linked company, Shale Atlantic Intercontinental Services Limited, which allegedly received four NSITF contracts worth N161,604,625.
The above offences are said to violate Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
The remaining counts accuse the former minister of corruptly receiving financial gifts from contractors working with NSITF through organisations linked to him.
Count Six: Ngige allegedly received N38,650,000 from Cezimo Nigeria Limited into the account of the “Senator (Dr) Chris Nwabueze Ngige Campaign Organisation.”
Count Seven: He allegedly accepted N55,003,000 from Zitacom Nigeria Limited, channelled through the “Senator (Dr) Chris Ngige Scholarship Scheme.”
Count Eight: He allegedly received N26,130,000 from Jeff & Xris Limited, also through the scholarship scheme.
These offences violate Section 17(a) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000 and attract penalties under Section 179(c) of the same Act.
Ngige is expected to take his plea when he appears before the court today.
