EFCC Bail Denied for Chris Ngige, Former Minister Remanded in Kuje Prison
A Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Gwarimpa, Abuja, on Friday rejected an oral bail application for former Minister of Labour, Dr. Chris Nwabueze Ngige, and ordered his remand at Kuje Prison until December 15. Ngige, a former governor of Anambra State, was arraigned the same day by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on an eight-count charge of corrupt practices. He pleaded not guilty to all the allegations. His lawyer, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Patrick Ikwueto, attempted to argue a formal bail application, but EFCC counsel, Sylvanus Tahir, SAN, opposed it, saying he had only just been served and needed time to respond. Justice Maryam Aliyu Hassan also turned down an oral application for bail, directing that the formal application be heard on Monday, December 15, while Ngige remains in custody. The charges, filed under case number FCT/HC/CR/726/2025, allege that Ngige committed offences while serving as Minister of Labour between September 2015 and May 2023. The eight counts include: Count 1: Awarding seven contracts worth 366,470,920.68 naira to Cezimo Nigeria Limited. Count 2: Granting eight contracts totaling 583,682,686.00 naira to Zitacom Nigeria Limited. Count 3: Conferring eight contracts valued at 362,043,163.16 naira to Jeff & Xris Limited. Count 4: Awarding four contracts worth 668,138,141.00 naira to Olde English Consolidated Limited. Count 5: Granting four contracts totaling 161,604,625.00 naira to Shale Atlantic Intercontinental Services Limited. The first five counts are alleged violations of Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000. Counts six to eight accuse Ngige of corruptly accepting gifts: Count 6: 38,650,000 naira from Cezimo Nigeria Limited via his campaign organisation. Count 7: 55,003,000 naira from Zitacom Nigeria Limited through his scholarship scheme. Count 8: 26,130,000 naira from Jeff & Xris Limited via the same scholarship scheme. These counts allegedly contravene Sections 17(a) and 17(c) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000. Ngige will remain in EFCC custody pending the hearing of his formal bail application on December 15.
