The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Gwarimpa Division, in Abuja, has fixed December 18 for ruling on the bail application of former Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, who is facing trial on corruption charges.
Justice Maryam Hassan, presiding over the case, issued the order on Monday, December 15, directing that Ngige remain in custody at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the court’s decision on his bail request.
Ngige, who served as Anambra State governor and later as minister, is standing trial on an eight-count charge of alleged corruption. He pleaded not guilty to all charges when he was arraigned last Friday.
During Monday’s proceedings, Ngige’s lawyer, Patrick Ikwueto (SAN), urged the court to grant his client bail, primarily on health grounds.
He argued that the former minister posed no flight risk and would neither flee the country nor interfere with witnesses if released.
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“The defendant has cooperated with investigators and has no capacity to evade trial at this point,” Ikwueto said in his submission.
However, counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Sylvanus Tahir, strongly opposed the bail request, warning that Ngige could abscond if granted temporary freedom.
Tahir told the court that Ngige was earlier granted administrative bail and allowed to travel abroad for medical treatment but failed to return as agreed.
“The passport released to him for the trip has not been returned to the Commission,” he said.
He further alleged that Ngige’s claim of losing the passport after his re-arrest was “an afterthought” aimed at deceiving the court. “We urge My Lord to dismiss this application as frivolous,” the EFCC counsel said.
After noting the submissions from both sides, Justice Hassan adjourned the matter until December 18 for a ruling on the bail application.