Former Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, was on Friday arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory sitting in Gwarinpa, Abuja over alleged N2.2bn contract fraud.
The anti-corruption commission, on behalf of the Federal Government, arraigned the former governor of Anambra State, before Justice Maryam Hassan on an eight-count charge bordering on contract fraud and receiving bribes.
Justice Hassan ordered that Ngige be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing of his bail application fixed for Monday, December 15.
According to the charges preferred against the two-term minister, 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 Amarachukwu Charles.
Ngige was further accused of awarding eight contracts worth over N583 million to Zitacom Nigeria Limited, also belonging to Charles.
The former governor was also accused of using his position to give preferential treatment by awarding eight contracts worth over N362 million to a company, Jeff & Xris Limited, belonging to Nwosu Chukwunwike.
Other companies he allegedly awarded contracts to include Olde English Consolidated Limited and Shale Atlantic Intercontinental Services Limited, belonging to Uzoma Igbonwa, to the tune of N668 million and N161 million respectively.
These offences, allegedly committed by Ngige, who served as a minister under the administration of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari between 2015 and 2023, are contrary to and punishable under Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
Ngige was also accused of collecting gratifications from NSITF contractors through “his organization, called Senator (Dr Chris Nwabueze Ngige) Campaign Organization, from Cezimo Nigeria Limited (Zenith Bank Account Number 1011901119).”
He was alleged to have collected N38.6 million from Cezimo Nigeria Limited; N55 million from Zitacom Nigeria Limited; and N26 million from Jeff & Xris Limited.
According to the EFCC, this is contrary to Section 17(a) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000 and punishable under Section 17(c) of the same Act.
Ngige, however, pleaded not guilty to all the charges read to him in open court.
Following his not-guilty plea, the prosecuting counsel, Sylvanus Tahir (SAN), asked for a trial date and urged the court to remand the former governor at the Kuje Custodial Centre.
Counsel for Ngige, Patrick Ikwueto (SAN), informed the court that the defence was only notified of the arraignment on Thursday and could not file his bail application.
While attempting to make an oral application for bail on self-recognition, the senior advocate appealed to the court to grant Ngige conditional bail on health grounds.
Tahir, however, opposed this, arguing that the court could not entertain both a written and an oral application.
He further claimed that Ngige was yet to submit his international passport to the EFCC, which was part of the conditions of the administrative bail earlier granted to him by the commission.
Responding, Ikwueto told the court that Ngige’s passport was stolen and that the EFCC had been notified through a letter.
Tahir, however, denied being aware of any such letter.
After listening to both sides, Justice Hassan ordered that Ngige be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing and determination of his bail application.
She subsequently adjourned the matter to Monday, December 15, to hear the former governor’s bail application.
