₦2.2 Billion Fraud Case: Court Holds Off On Ngige’s Bail Decision

A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court sitting in Gwarinpa, Abuja, on Monday postponed its ruling on the bail application of former Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, until Thursday. Ngige is facing trial over an alleged ₦2.2 billion contract fraud.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Trial Justice Maryam Hassan adjourned the case after hearing arguments from both the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Ngige’s legal team.

Ngige, who served as minister from November 11, 2015, to May 29, 2023, was arraigned last Friday on an eight-count charge relating to abuse of office and contract fraud tied to activities of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF). He pleaded not guilty, and the court ordered that he be remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre, Abuja, pending the outcome of his bail application.

The allegations claim that Ngige received kickbacks from firms awarded NSITF contracts and used his office to grant unfair advantages to associates in contract awards. The offences are punishable under the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

Opposing bail, EFCC lawyers led by Sylvanus Tahir, SAN, urged the court to reject the application, citing Ngige’s alleged breach of a prior administrative bail by failing to return his international passport after traveling abroad in October for medical treatment. The prosecution also highlighted the seriousness of the charges, which carry a minimum five-year jail term if convicted.

In response, Ngige’s counsel, Patrick Ikwueto, SAN, argued that his client had already spent three days in EFCC custody prior to arraignment. He emphasized Ngige’s prominence as a former minister and maintained that he was entitled to bail under the Constitution. Ikwueto also raised concerns about Ngige’s health, noting that the correctional facility lacked adequate medical support, and stressed that the charges were bailable offences.

Tahir countered that Ngige had yet to return his international passport, claiming it was lost only after his re-arrest—a justification the prosecution described as an afterthought. Tahir insisted the bail request lacked merit.

Details of the Alleged Contracts
According to the EFCC, Ngige allegedly used his office to favor companies linked to his associates. Contracts include:

• Cezimo Nigeria Limited: 7 contracts worth ₦366,470,920.68

• Zitacom Nigeria Limited: 8 contracts valued at ₦583,682,686

• Jeff & Xris Limited: 8 contracts totaling ₦362,043,163.16

• Olde English Consolidated Limited: 4 contracts worth ₦668,138,141, plus 4 contracts through Shale Atlantic Intercontinental Services Limited valued at ₦161,604,625

Alleged Kickbacks
The EFCC claims that between May and June 2022, Ngige received monetary gifts from these contractors, including:

• ₦38,650,000 from Cezimo Nigeria Limited

• ₦55,003,000 from Zitacom Nigeria Limited

• ₦26,130,000 from Jeff & Xris Limited

These transactions are alleged to contravene Sections 17(a) and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

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