THIS DAWN — Former Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr. Chris Ngige, on Friday pleaded not guilty to an eight-count charge filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The arraignment took place before Justice Mariam Hassan of the Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Gwarinpa, Abuja.
During the court session, EFCC counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Sylvanus Tahir alongside five other lawyers, informed the court that the Commission was ready to commence trial and requested an adjournment date.
Tahir further urged the court to order Ngige’s remand in EFCC custody pending the start of proceedings.
According to the charge sheet, the former minister is accused of unlawfully awarding eight contracts for supply, training, and consultancy services to a company linked to the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF).
The alleged transactions, the EFCC stated, amounted to ₦583,682,686.
The Commission further alleged that Ngige abused his office by awarding multiple contracts to his associates and companies allegedly connected to him and reportedly in excess of two billion Naira.
Tahir argued that remand was necessary given the gravity of the allegations and the need to ensure the defendant’s availability for trial.
He added that the Commission had complied with all procedural requirements leading up to the arraignment.
Ngige’s counsel opposes
Ngige’s counsel, however, strongly opposed the application.
He informed the court that the former minister had already spent three days in EFCC custody.
He stressed that his client was neither a flight risk nor an unknown figure in Nigeria.
“He is a former minister of the Federal Republic, with a fixed address and a reputation built over decades.
“He will meet any bail condition imposed by this court,” the defence counsel stated.
He further told the court that Ngige was in poor health and urgently required medical attention.
He appealed to Justice Hassan to consider his client’s past public service as she ruled on bail.
After hearing both sides, Justice Hassan adjourned ruling on the bail application and the commencement of trial to a date to be communicated.
The case is one of the high-profile corruption matters the EFCC has brought forward in recent months.
It signals what it describes as a renewed push to sanitise procurement and contract practices within federal agencies.
