By JUSTICE Mariam Hassan of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has ordered the remand of former Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, at the Kuje Correctional Centre.
Dr Ngige, who served under former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, was arraigned on Thursday on multiple corruption charges.
He is to remain in custody until Monday, when the court will hear his bail application.
The former minister is accused of conferring undue advantage on associates in the award of several contracts during his tenure between 2015 and 2023.
Prosecutors also allege that he corruptly received gifts amounting to several millions of naira through his organisations while in office.
Dr Ngige pleaded not guilty to all eight counts filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
His lead counsel, Patrick Ikweato (SAN), urged the court to grant temporary bail on health grounds, pending the formal hearing of the bail application.
However, EFCC counsel Sylvanus Tahir (SAN) opposed the request, insisting the former minister posed a flight risk and would be properly addressed in a formal response.
Justice Hassan, in a brief ruling, adjourned proceedings to Monday, 15 December, for the bail hearing.
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In the charge marked FCT/HC/CR/726/2025, the EFCC alleges that Dr Ngige, in his capacity as Minister of Labour and Employment and Supervising Minister of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), awarded seven consultancy, training, and supply contracts worth N366,470,920.68 to Cezimo Nigeria Limited.
Stonix News recalls that Ngige, amid all pleas and threats by labour leaders during the regime of Buhari refused to inaugurate late elder statesman, Frank Kokoro, as the managing director of NSITF after he was appointed by the late President.
The EFCC claims the company’s managing director, Ezebinwa Amarachukwu Charles, whom Ngige replaced Kokori with, is a known associate of the former minister.
The case will resume on Monday as the court considers whether to grant bail.
