₦2.2 Billion Fraud Scandal: Court Sends Ex-Labour Minister Chris Ngige To Kuje Prison

A former Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr. Chris Ngige, was remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja on Friday after being arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over an alleged ₦2.2 billion fraud.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Justice Mariam Hassan of the Federal Capital Territory High Court issued the remand order and adjourned the case to Monday, December 15, for hearing of Ngige’s bail application.

Ngige, the sole defendant in the eight-count charge (FCT/HC/CR/726/2025), arrived at the court around 8:10 a.m., escorted by EFCC officials.

The charges allege offences committed while he served as the supervising Minister of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) between September 2015 and May 2023 during former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

EFCC counsel Sylvanus Tahir requested that Ngige be remanded in the anti-graft agency’s custody pending the bail hearing and sought a date to commence trial.

Ngige’s defence counsel opposed the remand, noting that the former minister had already spent three days in EFCC custody. The lawyer highlighted Ngige’s public profile, willingness to meet any bail conditions, and his alleged poor health, stressing the need for medical attention.

The eight-count charge details how Ngige allegedly used his position to give unfair advantages to four companies linked to his associates through multiple NSITF contracts, totaling over ₦2.2 billion.

The specific allegations include:

• Count One: Awarding seven contracts worth ₦366,470,920.68 to Cezimo Nigeria Limited, linked to associate Ezebinwa Amarachukwu Charles.

• Count Two: Granting eight contracts worth ₦583,682,686.00 to Zitacom Nigeria Limited, also linked to Ezebinwa Amarachukwu Charles.

• Count Three: Awarding eight contracts worth ₦362,043,163.16 to Jeff & Xris Limited, linked to associate Nwosu Jideofor Chukwunwike.

• Count Four: Granting four contracts worth ₦668,138,141.00 to Olde English Consolidated Limited, linked to associate Uzoma Igbonwa.

Ngige is expected back in court on Monday, December 15, for the hearing of his bail application.