In a development that has reignited national focus on public sector accountability, a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court sitting in Gwarinpa, Abuja has ordered the remand of former Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, at the Kuje Correctional Centre in connection with alleged fraud and abuse of office involving over ₦2.2 billion.
Ngige was arraigned on eight counts of corruption-related charges by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before Justice Maryam Hassan. The charges, contained in charge number FCT/HC/CR/726/2025, allege that while serving as Minister and supervising the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) between September 2015 and May 2023, he improperly used his position to advantage companies linked to his associates.
Following his arraignment, Ngige entered a plea of not guilty to all charges. After hearing submissions from both prosecution and defence, the court remanded him in the custody of the Kuje Correctional Centre and adjourned the bail application hearing until Monday, December 15, 2025.
Details of the Allegations
According to the prosecution, Ngige is accused of using his ministerial authority to confer undue advantages on several companies allegedly connected to his close associates by awarding them lucrative NSITF contracts—contracts involving training, consultancy, supplies, and other services—all purportedly worth over ₦2.2 billion.
Among the specific allegations are that:
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Cezimo Nigeria Limited received seven contracts worth over ₦366.4 million.
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Zitacom Nigeria Limited allegedly got eight contracts valued at nearly ₦583.7 million.
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Jeff & Xris Limited received eight contracts totaling approximately ₦362 million, and
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Olde English Consolidated Limited was awarded four contracts worth about ₦668.1 million.
The prosecution also alleges that Ngige “corruptly” accepted monetary benefits from these companies—transactions it describes as inducements in violation of Nigeria’s Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, including payments made to his campaign and personal initiatives.
Prosecution vs Defence
During proceedings, EFCC counsel Sylvanus Tahir, SAN, urged the court to fix a date for the substantive trial and argued that the seriousness of the offences justified Ngige’s remand. The prosecution also claimed that Ngige failed to surrender his international passport after previously being granted travel for medical treatment—a claim Ngige’s defence disputes.
In contrast, Ngige’s lead counsel, Patrick Ikwueto, SAN, argued forcefully for bail on health grounds and stressed the defendant’s long public service record, asserting that he poses no flight risk. Ikwueto said Ngige had already spent three days in EFCC custody prior to arraignment and requested the court’s discretion to grant bail to allow the former minister access to appropriate medical care.
Next Steps in the Legal Process
With the former minister now remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre, all eyes are on the bail hearing scheduled for December 15. Observers note that the bail decision could set the tone for how the courts handle high-profile corruption cases in the coming year amid broader calls for transparency and integrity in public office.
The case has already generated considerable public and political discourse nationwide, with debates centering on accountability, political influence in anti-graft prosecutions, and the fairness of judicial processes for prominent former public officials. Analysts say the outcome — both in bail proceedings and the eventual trial — will be closely watched as a benchmark for anti-corruption enforcement in Nigeria.
Summary of Charges (in brief):
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Abuse of office
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Conferring unfair advantages on associates’ firms
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Acceptance of monetary/other benefits as inducements
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Breaches of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act