Justice Mariam Hassan of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has ordered the remand of former Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, at the Kuje Correctional Centre.
Ngige, who was arraigned on alleged corruption charges, will remain in Kuje until Monday, December 15, when his bail application is scheduled to be heard.
The former minister faces eight counts, including conferring unfair advantages to associates in the award of several contracts while in office between 2015 and 2023. He is also accused of corruptly accepting gifts amounting to several million naira through his organizations during his tenure.
Ngige pleaded not guilty to all charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
During the proceedings, Ngige’s lead counsel, Patrick Ikweato (SAN), requested that the court grant bail on health grounds. However, EFCC’s counsel, Sylvanus Tahir (SAN), opposed the request, claiming the ex-minister could be a flight risk. The court adjourned the bail hearing to Monday, December 15, to allow the prosecution time to formally respond.
The charges, filed under case number FCT/HC/CR/726/2025, include allegations that Ngige, as Minister of Labour and Employment and Supervising Minister of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), “conferred an unfair advantage upon Cezimo Nigeria Limited, whose MD/CEO Ezebinwa Amarachukwu Charles is your associate, by awarding seven contracts for consultancy, training, and supply worth N366,470,920.68” among other counts.
The EFCC has indicated that it will pursue the case rigorously, highlighting ongoing efforts to tackle high-level corruption in public office.
