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Former Minister of Labour and Productivity Chris Ngige has been remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre ahead of the hearing of his bail application.
Justice Mariam Hassan of the Federal Capital Territory High Court issued the order on Friday after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned the former Anambra governor over an alleged ₦2.2bn corruption case.
The judge adjourned the matter to Monday, December 15, for the bail hearing.
Ngige faced an eight-count charge. During Friday’s proceedings, EFCC counsel Sylvanus Tahir asked the court to fix a date for the start of the trial and also requested that the defendant remain in EFCC custody until the bail hearing.
However, Ngige’s counsel objected, noting that his client had already spent three days in EFCC detention. He argued that the former minister was a well-known public figure who served in office until a year and three months ago.
He added that the defence was ready to meet any bail conditions and emphasised that Ngige was in poor health and required medical care.
Ngige arrived at the court premises at about 8:10 a.m., escorted by EFCC officials.
In the charge marked FCT/HC/CR/726/2025, Ngige is the sole defendant. According to the document dated October 31 and filed on December 9 by Tahir and his team, the alleged offences were committed while he served as Minister of Labour under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Count one alleges that between September 2015 and May 2023, while supervising the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Ngige used his office to give an unfair advantage to Cezimo Nigeria Limited, whose MD/CEO, Ezebinwa Amarachukwu Charles, is described as his associate.
He allegedly awarded seven NSITF contracts for consultancy, training, and supplies to the company, valued at ₦366,470,920.68.
Count two claims that he similarly favoured Zitacom Nigeria Limited, also linked to Ezebinwa Amarachukwu Charles, by awarding eight NSITF contracts worth ₦583,682,686.00 for supply, training, and consultancy.
Count three accuses Ngige of conferring an unfair advantage on Jeff & Xris Limited, owned by Nwosu Jideofor Chukwunwike, his associate, through the award of eight NSITF contracts valued at ₦362,043,163.16.
Count four alleges he favoured Olde English Consolidated Limited, run by Uzoma Igbonwa, also identified as his associate, by awarding four NSITF contracts for consultancy, training, and construction worth ₦668,138,141.00.
