A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) high court sitting in Gwarimpa, Abuja, has ordered that Chris Ngige, former minister of labour and employment, remain at the Kuje Correctional Centre until December 18, pending a decision on his bail application.
Maryam Hassan, the trial judge, gave the order on Monday after hearing submissions from both the prosecution and defence on Ngige’s request for bail.
Patrick Ikwueto, counsel to Ngige, urged the court to grant his client bail, citing several reasons, particularly his health condition. He assured the court that the former minister would not abscond or interfere with witnesses.
Opposing the application, Sylvanus Tahir, counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), argued that Ngige posed a flight risk. He told the court that the defendant had earlier been granted administrative bail by the anti-graft agency and permitted to travel abroad for medical treatment but failed to return.
Tahir added that Ngige did not return his international passport, which had been released to facilitate the overseas trip.
He further informed the court that Ngige claimed his passport was lost after his rearrest and urged the judge to dismiss the bail application.
Following arguments from both sides, the judge adjourned the matter to December 18 for a ruling on the bail request.
BACKGROUND
Ngige was arraigned on Friday before Justice Hassan on an eight-count charge bordering on abuse 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 commission alleged that between September 2015 and May 2023, Ngige, while serving as supervising minister of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), approved seven contracts for consultancy, training and supply to Cezimo Nigeria Limited, valued at N366,470,920.68.
The managing director of the company, Ezebinwa Amarachukwu Charles, was described as an associate of the former minister.
The alleged offences, the EFCC said, contravene section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
The charge sheet also named other companies allegedly favoured through contract approvals by Ngige.
Zitacom Nigeria Limited, whose managing director/chief executive officer is also Ezebinwa, was said to have received eight contracts for supply, training and consultancy worth N583,682,686.
Jeff & Xris Limited, owned by Nwosu Jideofor Chukwunwike, allegedly secured eight contracts valued at N362,043,163.16.
Olde English Consolidated Limited, led by Uzoma Igbonwa, was listed as having received four contracts for consultancy, training and construction amounting to N668,138,141.
Shale Atlantic Intercontinental Services Limited, also linked to Igbonwa, allegedly obtained another four contracts valued at N161,604,625.
The former Anambra governor was further accused of corruptly receiving a N38,650,000 gift through the Chris Nwabueze Ngige Campaign Organisation from Cezimo Nigeria Limited (Zenith Bank Account Number 1011901119), a contractor with the NSITF.
He was also alleged to have received an additional N55,003,000 through an organisation known as Senator (r) Chris Ngige Scholarship Scheme from Zitacom Nigeria Limited (Zenith Bank Account Number 1017263219), another NSITF contractor.
At his arraignment, Ngige pleaded not guilty to all the charges.