Ex-labour minister Ngige arraigned, remanded in Kuje prison
Alleged N2.2bn Fraud: Court Remands Ex-Labour Minister Chris Ngige in Kuje Prison
A former Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, was on Friday arraigned before an Abuja High Court sitting in Gwarinpa by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged contract fraud amounting to about N2.2bn.
Justice Maryam Hassan ordered that the former minister be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing of his bail application, which has been fixed for Monday, December 14.
Ngige Pleads Not Guilty
Ngige pleaded not guilty to eight counts bordering on abuse of office and acceptance of gifts from contractors of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) while he served as supervising minister between September 2015 and May 2023.
Following his plea, EFCC counsel, Sylvanus Tahir (SAN), applied for a trial date and urged the court to remand the defendant pending the commencement of trial.
“In view of the not guilty plea entered by the defendant, we humbly apply for the trial date. We further pray my Lord that the accused person be remanded at the Kuje prison pending the commencement of the full trial,” the EFCC counsel said.
Defence Seeks Bail on Health Grounds
However, lead defence counsel, Patrick Ikwueto (SAN), opposed the prosecution’s request, urging the court to grant Ngige bail on health grounds. He disclosed that the former minister had spent three days in EFCC custody before his arraignment.
Ikwueto argued that bail is a constitutional right and insisted that Ngige is a well-known public figure who poses no flight risk.
“The defendant is not an unknown person in this country. The issue of bail is a right in our Constitution. Even this morning, he complained of his need to visit the hospital,” he told the court.
The defence also maintained that the charges were not comparable to terrorism or treason, which could justify denying bail.
“It’s not like he ate the ministry’s money or that of NSITF. It’s not a terrorism or treason charge,” Ikwueto added.
EFCC Opposes Bail Application
In response, the prosecution countered the defence, insisting that the alleged offences were serious and should not be trivialised.
The EFCC told the court that if found guilty, Ngige could face a minimum of five years imprisonment, adding that the defendant allegedly failed to return his international passport after being granted permission to travel abroad for medical treatment in October.
After listening to arguments from both parties, Justice Hassan adjourned the matter to December 14 for the hearing of the bail application and ordered Ngige’s continued remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre.
For verified court proceedings, political developments, and breaking news across Nigeria, stay updated on www.cjsoftflix.com, your trusted news and media platform.
