A Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Gwarinpa has granted bail to a former Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, who is standing trial over alleged fraud running into billions of naira.
The presiding judge, Justice Maryam Hassan, ruled that Ngige should continue on the administrative bail earlier granted to him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
However, the court directed that Ngige must provide a surety who is a serving director in the federal civil service.
Justice Hassan further ordered that the surety must own a landed property and deposit the property documents, along with travel documents, with the court pending the retrieval of Ngige’s international passport.
Ngige was initially granted administrative bail by the EFCC in October on self-recognisance and one surety. He was also permitted to travel abroad for medical treatment on the condition that he would return his international passport upon his arrival in Nigeria.
But opposing the bail application, EFCC prosecution counsel, Sylvanus Tahir, told the court that Ngige failed to submit his passport after returning to the country on November 19.
In response, Ngige’s counsel, Patrick Ikwueto, explained that his client had written to the commission upon his return, informing it that he was robbed in London and that important items, including documents, his international passport and cash, were stolen.
Ngige was arraigned on Friday before Justice Hassan on an eight-count charge bordering on misuse of office, contract fraud and receiving gratification.
According to the charge dated October 31, the EFCC alleged that the former minister abused his office by awarding multiple contracts to associates and companies linked to him.
The anti-graft agency claimed that between September 2015 and May 2023, while serving as supervising minister of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Ngige approved seven consultancy, training and supply contracts valued at ₦366,470,920.68 in favour of Cezimo Nigeria Limited.
The EFCC described the company’s managing director, Ezebinwa Amarachukwu Charles, as an associate of the former minister.
The commission said the alleged offence contravenes Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
The charge sheet also listed other companies said to have benefited from contracts approved under Ngige’s supervision.
Zitacom Nigeria Limited, whose managing director and chief executive officer is also Ezebinwa, allegedly received eight contracts for supply, training and consultancy worth ₦583,682,686.
Jeff & Xris Limited, owned by Nwosu Jideofor Chukwunwike, was said to have secured eight contracts valued at ₦362,043,163.16.
Olde English Consolidated Limited, led by Uzoma Igbonwa, was listed as having received four consultancy, training and construction contracts totalling ₦668,138,141.
Shale Atlantic Intercontinental Services Limited, also linked to Igbonwa, allegedly received another four contracts worth ₦161,604,625.
The former Anambra State governor was further accused of corruptly receiving a ₦38,650,000 gift through the Chris Nwabueze Ngige Campaign Organisation from Cezimo Nigeria Limited, a contractor with the NSITF.
He was also alleged to have received an additional ₦55,003,000 through an organisation known as the Senator (r) Chris Ngige Scholarship Scheme from Zitacom Nigeria Limited, another NSITF contractor.
Ngige pleaded not guilty to all the charges upon his arraignment.
