FCT High Court Grants Bail to Former Labour Minister Chris Ngige
A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Gwarimpa has granted bail to former Minister of Labour, Chris Ngige.
Ngige is facing prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on an eight-count charge involving abuse of office and acceptance of gifts worth approximately N2.2 billion. He is accused of receiving the gifts from contractors of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) while serving as supervising minister between September 2015 and May 2023.
In a Thursday ruling, Justice Mariam Hassan ordered that Ngige be granted bail under the same conditions as the administrative bail previously approved by the EFCC.
The judge stipulated that Ngige must provide a surety who holds a director-level position and owns landed property within the court’s jurisdiction. Since Ngige claimed his international passport was misplaced, the surety is required to deposit their own international passport with the court, which will only be returned once Ngige provides a replacement.
The court adjourned the matter until January 28 and 29 next year for trial.
