Chris Ngige, former Minister of Labour and Productivity, has been remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing of his bail application.
Justice Mariam Hassan of the Federal Capital Territory High Court gave the remand order on Friday after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned the former Anambra State governor over an alleged ₦2.2bn corruption offence.
Ngige was arraigned on an eight-count charge.
He however pleaded not guilty to the eight-count charge.
The judge adjourned the matter to December 15 for the hearing of the bail application.
During Friday’s proceedings, EFCC counsel Sylvanus Tahir requested a date for the commencement of trial and further asked that the defendant be remanded in the custody of the anti-graft agency until then.
However, counsel to the defendant noted that Ngige had already been in EFCC custody for the past three days. He added that the former minister is a well-known public figure, having served in office until about a year and three months ago.
Ngige’s legal team argued that they were prepared to meet any bail conditions, insisting that the ex-minister is not in good health and requires medical attention.
Ngige arrived at the court premises at about 8:10 am in the company of EFCC operatives.
The eight-count charge, marked FCT/HC/CR/726/2025, lists Ngige as the sole defendant.
According to the charge dated October 31 and filed on December 9 by a team of lawyers led by Tahir, the alleged offences were committed during Ngige’s tenure as Minister of Labour under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Count One:
Ngige allegedly used his position as supervising Minister of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) between September 2015 and May 2023 to confer an unfair advantage on Cezimo Nigeria Limited, a company owned by his associate, Ezebinwa Amarachukwu Charles.
He allegedly awarded seven NSITF consultancy, training, and supply contracts worth ₦366,470,920.68 to the firm.
Count Two:
The former minister was also accused of using his position to confer an unfair advantage on Zitacom Nigeria Limited, linked to the same associate, through eight NSITF contracts valued at ₦583,682,686.00.
Count Three:
Ngige allegedly conferred undue advantage on Jeff & Xris Limited, owned by his associate Nwosu Jideofor Chukwunwike, by awarding eight NSITF consultancy, training, and supply contracts worth ₦362,043,163.16.
Count Four:
He was similarly accused of favouring Olde English Consolidated Limited, owned by Uzoma Igbonwa, by awarding four NSITF consultancy, training, and construction contracts totalling ₦668,138,141.00.
