Alleged N2.2bn Fraud: EFCC Arraigns Ngige, As Court Orders Remand In Kuje Prison

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 (EFCC) over allegations of a N2.2bn contract fraud involving the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF).

Justice Maryam Hassan ordered that he be remanded in the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing of his bail application, fixed for Monday, December 14.

Ngige, who arrived in court in the custody of EFCC operatives, pleaded not guilty to an eight-count charge bordering on abuse of office and receiving unlawful financial benefits from contractors while he supervised the NSITF between 2015 and 2023.

The charge, marked FCT/HC/CR/726/2025, lists him as the sole defendant.

According to the EFCC, Ngige used his influence as minister to award a series of contracts worth billions of naira to companies linked to his associates.

The prosecution alleged that he conferred “unfair advantage” on Cezimo Nigeria Limited, Zitacom Nigeria Limited, Jeff & Xris Limited, Olde English Consolidated Limited and Shale Atlantic Intercontinental Services Limited through consultancy, training, supply and construction contracts of about N2.1bn.

He was also accused of corruptly receiving N38.6m through the Senator (Dr) Chris Nwabueze Ngige Campaign Organisation, N55m through the Chris Ngige Scholarship Scheme, and another N26.1m from various contractors, sums which the EFCC said were disguised as “gifts” while he was performing his official duties.

All offences are said to violate provisions of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

After Ngige entered his plea, EFCC counsel Sylvanus Tahir, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, immediately applied for a trial date and for the former minister to be remanded.

“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,” he told the court.

However, the defence counsel, Patrick Ikwueto, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, urged the court to grant bail on health grounds, noting that Ngige had already spent three days in EFCC custody.

“The defendant has taken his plea, and your Lordship is now in full control of this trial. The defendant is not an unknown person in this country. I don’t think there is anybody who will say they don’t know him. Even this morning, he mentioned how he needs to go to the hospital,” he said.

Ikwueto also accused the EFCC of pushing for remand despite knowing the limitations of the correctional facility.

“The prosecution is asking for his remand knowing fully well they don’t have the facility to cater to his health issues at Kuje,” he said, insisting that the charges did not involve violent crime.

“It’s not like he ate the ministry’s money or that of the NSITF. The trial will start, and we will see how those contracts were awarded. It’s not a terrorism charge or treason offence. We were not allowed time to file our own counter-affidavit. If the prosecution will give us time, we will,” he told the judge.

The EFCC, however faulting the defence, saying they are attempting to minimise the seriousness of the case.

“The offences with which the defendant was charged are by no means minute; they are enormous crimes. If found guilty, he will spend nothing less than five years in prison. There is an attempt here to trivialise the crime and bamboozle the Court,” Tahir said.

The prosecution also told the court that Ngige had failed to return his international passport after he was permitted to travel for medical treatment in October, insisting this made him a flight risk.

Following the submissions of both counsel, Justice Hassan adjourned the bail application hearing to Monday, December 14, and ordered that Ngige be remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre until then.