Dare Babalola
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned former Labour and Employment Minister Chris Ngige on Friday before an Abuja High Court in Gwarinpa, facing allegations of a ₦2.2 billion contract fraud.
Justice Maryam Hassan ordered that Chris Ngige be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre, with his bail application set to be heard on Monday, December 14, pending the determination of the case.
Ngige pleaded not guilty to eight counts bordering on abuse of office and acceptance of gifts from contractors of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) during his tenure as supervising minister from September 2015 to May 2023.
Following his plea, EFCC counsel, Sylvanus Tahir (SAN), requested a trial date and urged the court to remand the defendant
Ngige was governor of Anambra state from 2003 to 2006, and Labour Minister from 2015 to 2023.
According to reports, the former Minister was forcibly removed from his residence on Justice Mohammed Bello Road, Asokoro, Abuja, by around 20 EFCC operatives from the Wuse II Zonal office on Wednesday.
A family member, who described the operation as a “commando-style raid”, added that Ngige was not allowed to change out of his pyjamas before being taken away.
Ngige had previously been on administrative bail with the EFCC, following an invitation for questioning over undisclosed matters.
He had been cooperating with the agency, maintaining contact and complying with its requests, including returning his travel documents.
Ngige reportedly planned a medical trip to the United States but had to abort it after losing his passport while in transit through the United Kingdom.
He later obtained temporary travel documents from the Nigerian High Commission in the UK to return to Abuja.
Upon his return, Ngige is said to have prepared a letter to the EFCC explaining the loss of his passport and his inability to immediately report back to the agency, but he had not yet submitted it when the EFCC operatives raided his home.
