By Our Correspondent
A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) sitting in Gwarinpa on Friday ordered the remand of former Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, at the Kuje Correctional Centre following his arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged involvement in a ₦2.2 billion contract fraud.
Presiding Judge, Justice Maryam Hassan, directed that the former minister remain in custody pending the hearing of his bail application scheduled for Monday, December 15.
Ngige pleaded not guilty to the eight-count charge, which borders on abuse of office and unlawful acceptance of gratification from contractors of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) during his tenure as supervising minister between September 2015 and May 2023.
According to the charge dated October 31, the EFCC alleges that Ngige awarded multiple contracts to associates and companies linked to him, thereby conferring undue advantage in violation of extant procurement and anti-corruption laws.
Earlier on December 11, Ngige’s media aide, Fred Chukwuelobe, confirmed that the former minister was in EFCC custody following widespread rumours on social media suggesting he had been kidnapped.
As the court prepares to hear arguments on his bail application on Monday, the EFCC insists it has assembled substantial evidence to prosecute the matter, while Ngige maintains his innocence.
Ngige, a former governor of Anambra State, served as Labour Minister from 2015 until the end of the last administration in 2023.
Ngige’s arraignment comes barely days after his convoy was attacked by gunmen along the Nkpor–Nnobi Road in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The incident, which left one person dead and several others injured, occurred while the former governor was away from the convoy.
