Zainab Ali
A 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 over an alleged N2.2bn contract fraud.
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 15.
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, offences allegedly committed while he served as the supervising minister between September 2015 and May 2023.
Following his plea, EFCC counsel, Sylvanus Tahir (SAN), applied for 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 Kuje prison pending the commencement of the full trial,” Tahir submitted.
However, defence lead counsel, Patrick Ikwueto (SAN), opposed the application and urged the court to grant Ngige bail on health grounds, noting that the former minister had been in EFCC custody for three days before the arraignment.
He argued that Ngige was a well-known public figure and posed no flight risk, adding that denying him bail would be unfair given his medical condition.
“The issue of whether he will be granted bail or not is a constitutional right. The defendant is not an unknown person in this country. Even this morning, he mentioned how he needs to go to the hospital. The prosecution is asking for his remand knowing fully well they don’t have the facility to cater to his health issues at Kuje,” Ikwueto said.
He further argued that the offences were not comparable to terrorism or treason charges that could justify withholding bail, insisting that the allegations would be tested during trial.
The defence also faulted the EFCC for allegedly denying them time to file a counter-affidavit.
Responding, the prosecution maintained that the charges were serious and should not be trivialised, noting that if convicted, Ngige could face a minimum of five years’ imprisonment. The EFCC also told the court that Ngige failed to return his international passport after being permitted to travel for medical treatment in October.
Justice Hassan adjourned the matter to December 15 for the bail hearing and ordered Ngige’s remand in Kuje pending further proceedings.