A High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of former Minister of Labour and Employment Chris Ngige at Kuje Correctional Centre after he was arraigned on Friday over an alleged N2.2bn contract fraud. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission brought eight counts against him, accusing the former minister of abusing his office and receiving gifts from contractors linked to the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund.
Ngige, who served as supervising minister of the NSITF between September 2015 and May 2023, pleaded not guilty to all charges. Justice Maryam Hassan ruled that he should remain in custody until his bail application is heard on Monday, 14 December.
Following the plea, EFCC counsel Sylvanus Tahir asked the court to fix a trial date and remand the defendant. He argued that the prosecution was ready to proceed and urged the court to ensure Ngige remained in custody pending the start of trial.
Lead defence counsel Patrick Ikwueto opposed the request. He asked the court to grant his client bail on health grounds, noting that Ngige had spent three days in EFCC custody before the arraignment. He said the former minister required medical attention and posed no flight risk, describing him as a well-known public figure.
He argued that the charges did not involve violent or capital offences and should not justify detention. He also protested that the defence had not been given time to respond to the prosecution’s application for remand.
The EFCC countered that the allegations were serious and should not be dismissed as minor. The prosecution said the offences carried a minimum five-year sentence and accused Ngige of failing to return his international passport after travelling for medical treatment in October.
Justice Hassan adjourned the case to 14 December for the bail hearing and ordered Ngige’s remand in Kuje pending the next sitting.
