A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Gwarinpa has granted former Minister of Labour and Employment Chris Ngige bail after six days in detention at the Kuje Correctional Centre.
The ruling was delivered on Thursday, December 18, 2025 by Justice Maryam Hassan, who adopted the bail terms previously granted by the EFCC.
Ngige was remanded in prison on December 12, 2025, after being arraigned on an eight‑count corruption charge, including allegations of contract fraud and receipt of bribes totaling over ₦2.2 billion during his tenure as minister.
He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Justice Hassan directed that Ngige be released on bail under conditions requiring him to provide one surety who is a serving federal government director and a verified owner of property in the Federal Capital Territory.
The surety must submit property title documents and travel papers to the court, while Ngige must also surrender his own travel documents until his international passport is restored.
In delivering the ruling, the judge emphasized that bail conditions must be reasonable and not stringent, and that judicial discretion should be exercised fairly and not arbitrarily.
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The court adjourned the trial, setting January 28 and January 29, 2026, for the next hearing.
Ngige’s detention had drawn public attention, with supporters describing it as politically motivated.
Legal analysts note that his release on bail will allow him to prepare his defense while complying with the court’s conditions.