High-Profile Drama: EFCC Drags Chris Ngige To Court Today For Alleged ₦2.2bn Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is set to arraign former Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, today (Friday) over alleged fraud totaling ₦2,261,722,535.84.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Court officials confirmed that Ngige is expected to appear at the Gwarinpa Division of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, where he will take his plea.

According to court filings, the former minister faces an eight-count charge bordering on alleged abuse of office and the corrupt receipt of monetary benefits from contractors of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), which he oversaw between September 2015 and May 2023.

Counts one to five outline allegations that Ngige used his position to grant undue advantages to companies linked to his associates through the award of multiple NSITF contracts valued at over ₦2.1 billion.

In the first count, the EFCC alleges that Ngige approved seven consultancy, training, and supply contracts worth ₦366,470,920.68 for Cezimo Nigeria Limited, a company allegedly connected to one of his associates—an offence said to fall under Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

The second count accuses him of awarding eight NSITF contracts worth ₦583,682,686 to Zitacom Nigeria Limited, also allegedly tied to an associate. The charge states that the contracts, awarded between 2015 and 2023, were meant for various consultancy, supply, and training services.

The EFCC further claims that Jeff & Xris Limited, owned by another of the former minister’s associates, received eight contracts valued at ₦362,043,163.16.

In the fourth count, Ngige is accused of facilitating four NSITF contracts worth ₦668,138,141 for Olde English Consolidated Limited, while the fifth count alleges he approved four additional contracts valued at ₦161,604,625 for Shale Atlantic Intercontinental Services Limited, reportedly linked to the same associate.

Counts six to eight allege that Ngige corruptly received monetary benefits from NSITF contractors between May and June 2022. The EFCC claims he received ₦38,650,000 through his campaign organisation from Cezimo Nigeria Limited; ₦55,003,000 via his scholarship scheme from Zitacom Nigeria Limited; and ₦26,130,000 from Jeff & Xris Limited. These offences are said to contravene Sections 17(a) and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

Dr. Ngige, a former Governor of Anambra State, is expected to enter his plea when the matter comes up in court today.