Alleged N2.2 Billion Fraud: Court Sets Date to Rule on Ngige’s Bail Application

The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja has set December 18 to rule on the bail application of former Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, who is currently detained at Kuje Correctional Centre. Justice Maryam Aliyu Hassan made the order on Monday after hearing arguments from both sides.

Ngige’s lawyer, Patrick Ikwueto, SAN, had requested bail primarily on health grounds, assuring the court that his client would not abscond or interfere with witnesses if released.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), represented by Sylvanus Tahir, SAN, opposed the application, describing Ngige as a flight risk. Tahir highlighted that Ngige had previously been granted administrative bail to travel abroad for medical care but failed to return, and that his international passport, issued for the trip, was never surrendered. He argued that Ngige’s later claim of losing the passport was not credible.

Ngige was arraigned last Friday by the EFCC on an eight-count charge alleging N2.2 billion contract fraud and acceptance of gifts from contractors of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund during his tenure as supervising minister from September 2015 to May 2023.