An Abuja High Court on Friday remanded a former Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, in Kuje Correctional Centre, pending the determination of his bail application.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Friday arraigned Ngige over alleged N2.2 billion fraud.
Ngige, a former governor of Anambra, is facing eight counts of fraud and accepting bribes.
The defendant served as the governor of Anambra under PDP platform from May 29, 2003, to March 17, 2006.
He served as minister under former and late President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration from 2015 to 2023.
The EFCC arrested Ngige on Wednesday.
He is being prosecuted for fraud, which he allegedly committed during his tenure as Minister of Labour and Employment.
The EFCC accused him of awarding seven contracts worth over N366 million “for consultancy, training and supply by the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF)” to a company, Cezimo Nigeria Limited, belonging to his associate, Ezebinwa Charles.
EFCC alleged that Ngige awarded eight contracts worth over N583 million to another company belonging to Mr Charles.
The EFCC also alleged that the defendant used his position to give preferential treatment, awarding eight contracts worth over N362 million to a company, Jeff & Xris Limited, belonging to Nwosu Chukwunwike.
Other companies he awarded contracts include Olde English Consolidated Limited and Shale Atlantic Intercontinental Services Limited, belonging to Uzoma Igbonwa to the sum of N668 million and N161million respectively.
According to the EFCC, these offences violate section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
Also, the anti-graft agency accused Ngige of collecting gratifications from contractors of the NSITF through “his organization, called Senator (Dr Chris Nwabueze Ngige Campaign Organization from Cezimo Nigeria Limited (Zenith Bank Account Number 1011901119).”
The EFCC further alleged that Ngige collected N38.6 million from Cezimo Nigeria Limited, N55 million from Zitacom Nigeria Limited and N26 million from Jeff & Xris Limited.
This, according to EFCC, contravened section 17(a) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000 and is punishable under section 17(c) of the same Act.
He however pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
The EFCC’s counsel, Sylvanus Tahir, SAN applied for a trial date and urged the court to remand Ngige at Kuje Custodial Centre.
However, counsel to Ngige, Patrick Ikwueto, SAN, noted that they were only informed of the arraignment yesterday and could not file for his bail application.
Ikwueto urged the court to give Ngige a conditional bail on health grounds.
He also attempted to move for an oral bail application for the defendant on self-recognition.
Tahir noted that the court could not be presented with both a written and oral application.
He also noted that Ngige was yet to submit his international passport, which was part of his previous bail conditions.
Ikweto, however, noted that Ngige’s international passport was stolen, and the EFCC had been informed through a letter.
Tahir denied knowledge about the report.
Following their submissions, Justice, Maryam Hassan, ordered his remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre.
Justice Hassan adjourned until Monday for hearing and determination of his bail application.
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