•EFCC Arraigns Ex-Labour Minister on Eight Counts, Bail Hearing Set for Monday
A former Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, was on Friday arraigned before an Abuja High Court in Gwarinpa by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations of a N2.2 billion contract fraud.
Justice Maryam Hassan ordered that the former minister be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing of his bail application, which has been scheduled for Monday, December 14.
Ngige pleaded not guilty to the eight-count charge, which borders on abuse of office and acceptance of gifts from contractors of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) during his tenure as its supervising minister from September 2015 to May 2023.
Following the plea, the EFCC counsel, Sylvanus Tahir (SAN), immediately applied for a trial date and requested the court to remand the defendant in custody.
“In view of the not guilty plea entered by the defendant, we humbly apply for the trial date. We further pray my Lord that the accused person be remanded at the Kuje prison pending the commencement of the full trial,” Tahir stated.
The defence team, led by Patrick Ikwueto (SAN), vigorously opposed the application, urging the court to grant his client bail on health grounds. Ikwueto noted that Ngige had already spent three days in EFCC custody prior to the arraignment.
“The defendant is not an unknown person in this country… I urge your Lordship to grant the defendant bail, and we are ready to meet any requirement,” Ikwueto pleaded. He argued that the charges were not akin to terrorism or treason, which would typically justify denial of bail.
The defence also challenged the prosecution’s application, stating they had not been given adequate time to file a counter-affidavit.
The prosecution countered, insisting that the gravity of the alleged offences should not be downplayed.
“The offences with which the defendant was charged are by no means minute; they are rather enormous crimes that if found guilty, he will spend nothing less than five years in prison,” the prosecution counsel argued, revealing that Ngige had previously failed to return his international passport after being granted permission to travel for medical treatment in October.
After hearing both sides, Justice Hassan adjourned the matter to Monday, December 14, for the bail hearing and ordered that the defendant be remanded in the Kuje Correctional Centre until then.
