A Federal Capital Territory High Court has ordered the remand of former Minister of Labour and Employment Chris Ngige at the Kuje Correctional Centre. Justice Mariam Hassan gave the directive after Ngige was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on alleged corruption offences.
Ngige pleaded not guilty to the eight-count charge, which includes conferring unfair advantage on associates in contract awards between 2015 and 2023 and accepting gifts worth several millions of naira through his organisations. The EFCC alleged that he favoured Cezimo Nigeria Limited, linked to his associate Ezebinwa Amarachukwu Charles, in contracts valued at more than N366 million.
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His bail application could not proceed because it was served on the prosecution shortly before the sitting. His counsel, Patrick Ikweato, asked the court to grant temporary bail on health grounds, but EFCC counsel Sylvanus Tahir opposed the request, arguing that Ngige posed a flight risk.
Justice Hassan adjourned the case until Monday, 15 December, for the hearing of the bail application while ordering that the former minister remain in custody until then.
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