From Victor Osula, Abuja
The Federal High Court sitting in Gwaripa, Abuja, has granted bail to former Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chris Ngige.
Justice Mariam Hassan had remanded the former Anambra Governor at the Kuje Correctional Centre following his arraignment on charges of corruption amounting to N2.2 billion.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Ngige on an eight-count charge of abuse of office and granting undue advantage to associates while serving under the late former President, Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.
The charge sheet, dated October 31, and endorsed by EFCC’s lead counsel, Sylvanus Tahir (SAN), alongside five other prosecutors, alleged that Ngige abused his office between September 2015 and May 2023, by using his influence as supervising minister of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) to unlawfully confer benefits on associates and companies linked to them.
According to investigators, the former minister allegedly facilitated the award of at least 31 contracts to five companies believed to be owned by or connected to his associates. In Count One, Ngige is accused of steering seven NSITF contracts worth ₦366.47 million to Cezimo Nigeria Limited, managed by Ezebinwa Amarachukwu Charles, described as a close associate.
Similarly, Zitacom Nigeria Limited, also associated with Ezebinwa, allegedly received eight contracts totalling ₦583.68 million, while Jeff & Xris Limited, linked to another associate, Nwosu Jideofor Chukwunwike, reportedly secured eight contracts worth ₦362.04 million. Olde English Consolidated Limited, tied to Uzoma Igbonwa, was allegedly awarded four contracts valued at ₦668.13 million, and Shale Atlantic Intercontinental Services Limited reportedly benefited from four contracts worth ₦161.60 million.
The contracts, covering consultancy, training, construction works and supplies, were allegedly routed through the NSITF over successive years under Ngige’s oversight.
The anti-graft agency maintained that the offences contravene Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, which criminalises abuse of office for personal or associate gain, and carry penalties including possible imprisonment.
Ngige, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges upon arraignment.
The court had earlier adjourned proceedings to December 18 for ruling on the bail application filed by Ngige. During the earlier hearing, Ngige’s counsel urged the court to grant bail, arguing that the former minister was not a flight risk.
The defence further informed the court that Ngige had previously been on administrative bail granted by the EFCC before his most recent arrest, adding that he had complied with all the conditions attached to the bail at the time.
Ruling on Thursday, the court adopted the terms of the administrative bail earlier granted to Ngige by the EFCC, while imposing additional conditions to ensure his availability for trial.
The court ordered the former minister to produce one surety who must be a director on the federal government payroll and possess verifiable property within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Justice Hassan also directed Ngige to surrender his international travel documents to the court.
In explaining her decision, the judge stated that the grant of bail is at the discretion of the court, noting that such discretion must be exercised judiciously and not arbitrarily. She stressed that bail conditions should not be unreasonable or excessively stringent.
Justice Hassan subsequently adjourned the matter until January 28 and 29, 2026, for the continuation of the trial.
