Former Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, has been taken into custody following his arraignment before an Abuja High Court on Friday.
The court, sitting in Gwarinpa, ordered his remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre shortly after he was brought in by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Ngige is facing an eight-count charge linked to alleged N2.2 billion contract fraud during his time as the supervising minister of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF). The offences were said to have occurred between 2015 and 2023.
The former minister entered a not-guilty plea when the charges were read to him. His arraignment marked the beginning of what is expected to be a high-profile trial involving procurement irregularities and alleged misuse of public office.
After the plea was taken, EFCC counsel, Sylvanus Tahir (SAN), moved for a formal trial date. He also asked the court to order the defendant’s remand.
According to him, “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.”
Ngige’s lawyers resisted the prosecution’s request. Lead defence counsel, Patrick Ikwueto (SAN), appealed for bail, insisting his client had spent the last three days in EFCC custody and should be allowed access to medical care. He argued strongly that the allegations do not fall under offences that warrant extreme restrictions.
He said, “The defendant has taken his plea, and your lordship is now in full control of this trial… The issue of whether he will be granted bail or not is a right in our Constitution. The defendant is not an unknown person in this country… I urge your Lordship to grant the defendant bail, and we are ready to grant any requirement your Lordship will put to grant him bail.”
The defence further explained that Ngige had health concerns and needed medical attention, noting that the correctional facility does not have the capacity to manage his condition.
Ikwueto also argued that the prosecution rushed its application and did not allow the defence time to file a proper response.
The EFCC pushed back, describing the charges as weighty and warning the court not to overlook the seriousness of the allegations. The prosecution also told the court that Ngige did not return his international passport after a recent medical trip, raising concerns about compliance.
Justice Maryam Hassan adjourned the bail hearing to Monday, December 14, and ordered that Ngige remain in Kuje prison pending the court’s decision.
