Former Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chris Ngige, has denied any involvement in the alleged N2.2 billion fraud case filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), insisting that his record in public service remains untainted.
Ngige, who served as labour minister between November 2015 and May 2023, was arraigned on December 12 before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory on an eight-count charge bordering on abuse of office and acceptance of gifts.
He was briefly remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre following the arraignment.
Justice Maryam Hassan, sitting in Gwarimpa, later granted him bail after his legal team perfected the bail conditions.
Shortly after his release, Ngige attended a caucus meeting of the National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The EFCC alleges that Ngige used his position to confer undue advantage on companies said to be linked to his associates through the approval of consultancy, training and supply contracts at the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund.
According to the prosecution, seven contracts valued at N366.47 million were awarded to Cezimo Nigeria Limited, while eight contracts worth N583.68 million allegedly went to Zitacom Nigeria Limited.
The anti-graft agency further claimed that eight contracts valued at N362.04 million were awarded to Jeff & Xris Limited, four contracts worth N668.14 million to Olde English Consolidated Limited, and another four contracts amounting to N161.6 million through Shale Atlantic Intercontinental Services Limited.
All the companies, the EFCC said, were linked to Ngige’s associates.
The commission also accused the former minister of receiving monetary gifts from contractors between May and June 2022.
These included N38.65 million allegedly received through his campaign organisation, N55.003 million through a scholarship scheme, and N26.13 million from another contractor.
The offences are said to contravene Sections 17(a) and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, and carry a minimum sentence of five years’ imprisonment upon conviction.
EFCC counsel, Sylvanus Tahir (SAN), opposed Ngige’s bail application, arguing that the former minister had previously breached administrative bail conditions by failing to return his passport after being allowed to travel abroad for medical reasons.
However, defence counsel, Patrick Ikwueto (SAN), urged the court to grant bail, describing the charges as bailable and stressing that Ngige was a well-known public figure who posed no flight risk.
He also raised concerns about his client’s health, noting that the correctional facility lacked adequate medical infrastructure.
In granting bail, the court ordered that Ngige be released pending trial, which is expected to commence next year.
Speaking after securing his release, Ngige maintained that he served Nigeria with integrity throughout his career.
He thanked his supporters and insisted that the allegations did not amount to embezzlement or theft of public funds.
“In all my years of over three decades of public service, including my time as governor of a state, I have not been found wanting in the handling of public funds,” he said.
He further questioned how the companies mentioned in the charge could have been given unfair advantage, arguing that ministers do not preside over contract awards.
“My hands are clean, and it will be interesting to see where and how these companies were allegedly given unfair advantage in a process over which ministers neither participate in nor control,” Ngige stated.
According to him, Permanent Secretaries chair ministerial tenders boards, while the companies cited in the case were regular bidders that often lost out or were disqualified for failing to meet requirements.
“The companies mentioned competed like others and, in many cases, did not win bids. Some were even disqualified,” he added.
