The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Friday arraigned a former Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, before an Abuja High Court sitting in Gwarinpa over alleged N2.2bn contract fraud.
Ngige pleaded not guilty to eight counts bordering on abuse of office and acceptance of gifts from contractors of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund while serving as the supervising minister between September 2015 and May 2023.
Justice Maryam Hassan ordered that the former minister be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing of his bail application, scheduled for Monday, December 14.
Following his plea, EFCC counsel, Sylvanus Tahir (SAN), requested a trial date and urged the court to remand the defendant.
“In view of the not guilty plea entered by the defendant, we humbly apply for the trial date. We further pray, my Lord, that the accused person be remanded at the Kuje prison,” Tahir said.
However, defence counsel Patrick Ikwueto (SAN) opposed the remand request and asked the court to grant Ngige bail on health grounds. He told the court that the former minister had been in EFCC custody for three days and required urgent medical attention.
“The defendant is not an unknown person in this country. I urge your Lordship to grant him bail, and we are ready to meet any conditions set by the court,” Ikwueto said, adding that the charges were not comparable to terrorism or treason to justify withholding bail.
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He also challenged the prosecution’s application, arguing that the defence was not given time to file a counter-affidavit.
The EFCC countered, insisting that the offences were serious and should not be trivialised. The prosecution also informed the court that Ngige failed to return his international passport after being allowed to travel for medical treatment in October.
Justice Hassan adjourned the case to December 14 for the bail hearing and ordered Ngige’s remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre.