Abuja Court Sends Ex-Labour Minister Ngige to Kuje Prison Over Alleged ₦2.2bn Contract Fr@ud

Former Labour Minister Chris Ngige appeared before an Abuja High Court in Gwarinpa on Friday, following charges brought against him by the EFCC concerning an alleged ₦2.2 billion contract fraud. Justice Maryam Hassan ordered that he be remanded in Kuje prison until his bail hearing, which is set for December 14.

Ngige entered a plea of not guilty to eight charges, which include abuse of office and accepting gifts from contractors associated with the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund during his time in office from 2015 to 2023.

Following his plea, EFCC attorney Sylvanus Tahir (SAN) requested a date for the trial and urged the court to keep Ngige in custody until the proceedings begin. However, lead defense attorney Patrick Ikwueto (SAN) opposed the remand, arguing for bail on health grounds, citing that Ngige had already spent three days in the custody of the EFCC. Ikwueto emphasized that Ngige, as a prominent public figure, was unlikely to flee and pointed out that the charges did not reach the severity of terrorism or treason, which typically warrant denial of bail.

Ikwueto also noted that the defense had not been adequately given time to respond to the prosecution’s application. In response, the EFCC highlighted the seriousness of the charges, which carry a potential minimum prison sentence of five years. The prosecution further revealed that Ngige had failed to return his passport after a medical trip in October.

The court has postponed the case until December 14, with Ngige remaining in Kuje prison.