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.
Justice Maryam Hassan ordered that he be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing of his bail application scheduled for Monday, December 14.
Ngige entered a not guilty plea to eight counts relating to alleged abuse of office and receipt of gifts from contractors of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) during his tenure as supervising minister between September 2015 and May 2023.
Following his plea, EFCC counsel Sylvanus Tahir (SAN) requested a trial date and urged the court to remand the defendant.
He said, “In view of the not guilty plea entered by the defendant, we apply for a trial date. We also pray that he be remanded at the Kuje prison pending the commencement of the full trial.”
However, defence counsel Patrick Ikwueto (SAN) opposed the request and sought bail for his client on health grounds, noting that Ngige had spent the past three days in EFCC custody.
He argued that Ngige was a well-known individual who was not a flight risk and emphasized that the allegations were not comparable to offences such as terrorism or treason.
Ikwueto stated, “The issue of bail is a constitutional right. The defendant is not an unknown person in this country. We urge your Lordship to grant him bail. Even this morning, he indicated that he needs medical attention.”
He added that the defence had not been given time to file a counter-affidavit to the EFCC’s application.
In response, the prosecution insisted that the charges were serious and should not be minimized.
According to the EFCC, Ngige had previously failed to return his international passport after being permitted to travel for medical treatment in October.
The court adjourned the case toDecember 14 and ordered Ngige’s remand in Kuje prison.
Advertisement
