The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will on Friday (December 12) arraign former Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, before a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Gwarimpa, Abuja, over an eight-count charge of alleged contract fraud totaling N2.14 billion (some reports put the figure at N2.26 billion).
Background to the Arrest Ngige, a former governor of Anambra State, was arrested in a dawn raid on his Asokoro residence in Abuja on Wednesday night by about 20 EFCC operatives from the Wuse II zonal office. His media aide, Fred Chukwuelobe, disclosed that the ex-minister was taken away in his pyjamas and expressed surprise at the arrest, as he had earlier been granted administrative bail and had remained cooperative with the investigation.
Chukwuelobe added that Ngige had lost his passport while traveling for medical treatment in the US (via the UK) and had drafted a letter to notify the EFCC but had not submitted it before the arrest. He also dismissed claims that the arrest was politically motivated or linked to Ngige’s recent meeting with Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, describing them as “baseless”.
The Allegations The charges, filed on December 9 by a legal team led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Sylvanus Tahir and dated October 31, accuse Ngige of abusing his office between September 2015 and May 2023 while serving as supervising minister of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF).
The EFCC alleges that Ngige used his position to confer undue advantage on close associates by awarding multiple consultancy, training, supply, and construction contracts to companies linked to them. The companies and their alleged contract values are:
– CE Zimo Nigeria Limited (linked to Eze Bin Wa Amarachukwu Charles): 7 contracts worth N366.47 million- Zita Com Nigeria Limited (also linked to Eze Bin Wa): 8 contracts worth N583.68 million- Jeff & Xris Limited (linked to Nwosu Jideofor Chukwunwike): 8 contracts worth N362.04 million- Olde English Consolidated Limited (linked to Uzoma Igbo Nwa): 4 contracts worth N668.14 million- Shale Atlantic Intercontinental Services Limited (also linked to Uzoma Igbo Nwa): 4 contracts worth N161.60 million. In addition, the EFCC claims Ngige received over N119 million in unlawful gifts and donations through his campaign organisation and scholarship scheme from some of the beneficiary companies while performing his official duties.
The offences are said to violate provisions of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, which carry serious penalties upon conviction. Next Steps Ngige is the sole defendant in the case, and his legal team is expected to apply for bail during the arraignment on Friday. Would you like to follow updates on the outcome of the arraignment?
