ABUJA — Justice Maryam Hassan of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), sitting in Gwarinpa, Abuja, on Thursday, December 18, 2025, granted bail to former Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, in an ongoing corruption trial involving alleged N2.2 billion contract fraud. The ruling adopted the terms of an administrative bail previously granted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), with additional conditions to ensure compliance.
Ngige, who served as minister from November 11, 2015, to May 29, 2023, under the administration of late President Muhammadu Buhari, was arraigned on December 12, 2025, on an eight-count charge marked FCT/HC/CR/726/2025. The EFCC accuses him of abusing his office as supervising minister of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) by conferring unfair advantages on companies linked to his associates through contract awards totaling over N2.2 billion. Specific allegations include awarding multiple contracts to firms like Cezimo Nigeria Limited, Olde English Consolidated Limited, and Shale Atlantic Intercontinental Services Limited, as well as corruptly receiving gifts, such as N38.65 million through his campaign organization and N55 million via a scholarship scheme.
The former Anambra State governor pleaded not guilty to all charges. Following his arraignment, he was remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre pending the bail ruling, after the EFCC opposed his initial application, citing him as a flight risk for allegedly failing to return his international passport after medical travel abroad.
In her ruling, Justice Hassan emphasized that bail is discretionary and must not be unreasonable or arbitrary, noting the offences are bailable. She retained the EFCC's administrative bail terms—self-recognition and submission of travel documents—but imposed fresh conditions: Ngige must produce one surety, a serving director in federal government employment owning landed property in the FCT. The surety is required to deposit the property's title documents (Certificate of Occupancy) and their own international passport with the court registry, pending Ngige's retrieval of his passport.
The judge ordered strict compliance, remanding Ngige until conditions are met. The trial was adjourned to January 28 and 29, 2026.
Ngige's counsel, Patrick Ikwueto, SAN, had argued for bail on health grounds and self-recognition, assuring no flight risk. EFCC prosecutor Sylvanus Tahir, SAN, opposed, referencing prior bail violations.
This case is part of broader EFCC probes into former officials from the Buhari era, focusing on NSITF contract irregularities. Ngige has maintained his innocence, with supporters viewing the prosecution as politically motivated.
The development has drawn public attention, highlighting ongoing anti-corruption efforts amid debates on high-profile accountability.
