FCT HIGH COURT GRANTS NGIGE BAIL ALLEGED N2.2 BILLION FRAUD CASE, IMPOSES STRICT SURETY AND PROPERTY CONDITION


An FCT High Court has granted bail to former Labour and Employment Minister, Chris Ngige, facing allegations of money laundering and abuse of office. Justice Maryam Hassan, on Thursday, ordered that Ngige produce one surety who is a federal government director and owns property in the FCT with a valid Certificate of Occupancy, which must be deposited with the court.

Ngige will remain in Kuje Correctional Centre until the bail conditions are fulfilled. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had arraigned him last Friday on an eight-count charge, including alleged N2.2 billion contract fr@ud, ab¥se of office, and accepting gifts from contractors linked to the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) during his tenure as supervising minister from September 2015 to May 2023.

The EFCC also alleged that Ngige approved seven NSITF contracts for consultancy, training, and supply services totaling N366,470,920.68. Ngige pleaded not guilty to all charges. His lawyer, Patrick Ikwueto (SAN), urged the court to grant bail on health grounds, assuring that Ngige would not evade trial or interfere with evidence.

EFCC counsel, Sylvanus Tahir (SAN), opposed bail, citing Ngige’s failure to return his international passport after traveling abroad for medical treatment in October, which the defendant later claimed was lost following his re-arrest. Bail was granted on liberal terms, with strict conditions for the surety and property documentation.

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