A former Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, was on Friday arraigned before an Abuja High Court sitting in Gwarinpa by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over an alleged N2.2 billion contract fraud linked to the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF).
Ngige was docked on an eight-count charge bordering on abuse of office and acceptance of gifts from NSITF contractors while serving as the supervising minister between September 2015 and May 2023. He pleaded not guilty to all counts.
Presiding Judge, Justice Maryam Hassan, ordered the former minister’s remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing of his bail application, scheduled for Monday, December 14.
Prosecution Seeks Remand
EFCC counsel, Sylvanus Tahir (SAN), asked the court to fix a trial date and requested that the defendant be remanded in prison custody.
“In view of the not guilty plea, we humbly apply for a trial date and for the accused person to be remanded at the Kuje prison pending the commencement of the full trial,” Tahir said.
He also informed the court that Ngige failed to return his international passport after being permitted to travel for medical treatment in October.
Defence Opposes Remand, Cites Health Concerns
Lead defence counsel, Patrick Ikwueto (SAN), opposed the remand application, urging the court to grant Ngige bail on health grounds. He argued that the former minister had already spent three days in EFCC custody before his arraignment.
“The defendant is a well-known figure in this country. He has been in EFCC custody for the past three days. He needs medical attention, and the prosecution knows Kuje prison lacks the facility to cater to his health needs,” Ikwueto told the court.
He insisted that the charges were not comparable to terrorism or treason offences that would justify denying bail.
“It is not like he ate ministry money or NSITF funds. The trial will reveal how the contracts were awarded,” he added.
The defence also protested that they were not given sufficient time to file a counter-affidavit in response to the EFCC’s application.
EFCC Counters: ‘These Are Not Minor Offences’
In response, the prosecution maintained that the offences were serious and should not be trivialised.
“These offences are by no means minute. They are enormous crimes that, if the defendant is found guilty, carry a minimum of five years imprisonment,” the EFCC counsel argued.
Next Hearing
After hearing both sides, Justice Hassan adjourned the case to December 14 for the bail hearing and ordered Ngige’s remand in Kuje prison.