Court remands Ngige in Kuje prison over ‘N2.14bn contract fraud’

A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) high court has ordered theremand of Chris Ngige, former minister of labour and productivity, in Kujeprison, pending the determination of his bail application. Ngige was arraigned on Friday before Maryam Hassan,presiding judge, on an eight-count charge bordering on misuse of office,contract fraud and receiving gratification. In the charge dated October 31, the commission alleged thatthe former minister used his position to confer undue advantage by awardingmultiple contracts to associates and companies linked to him. The EFCC alleged that between September 2015 and May 2023,Ngige, while serving as supervising minister of the Nigeria Social InsuranceTrust Fund (NSITF), approved seven contracts for consultancy, training andsupply to Cezimo Nigeria Limited, valued at N366,470,920.68. The company’s managing director, Ezebinwa AmarachukwuCharles, is described as an associate of the former minister. The offence, according to the anti-graft agency, violatessection 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000. The charge sheet also lists other companies that allegedlybenefited from contracts approved under Ngige. Zitacom Nigeria Limited, whose managing director (MD)/chiefexecutive officer (CEO) is Ezebinwa, was said to have received eight contractsfor supply, training and consultancy worth N583,682,686. Jeff & Xris Limited, owned by Nwosu JideoforChukwunwike, allegedly secured eight contracts valued at N362,043,163.16. Olde English Consolidated Limited, led by Uzoma Igbonwa, waslisted as receiving four contracts for consultancy, training and constructiontotalling N668,138,141. Shale Atlantic Intercontinental Services Limited, alsolinked to Igbonwa, allegedly received another four contracts worthN161,604,625. The former Anambra governor was also alleged to havecorruptly accepted a N38,650,000 gift through theChris Nwabueze Ngige Campaign Organisation from CezimoNigeria Limited (Zenith Bank Account Number 1011901119), a contractor with theNigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF). He was also said to have received another N55,003,000 giftthrough his organisation called Senator (r) Chris Ngige Scholarship Scheme fromZitacom Nigeria Limited (Zenith Bank Account Number 1017263219), a contractorwith the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF). Upon arraignment, Ngige pleaded not guilty to all thecounts. Sylvanus Tahir, prosecution counsel, asked the court toremand the defendant in prison custody and fix a date for trial to commence. However, Patrick Ikwueto, Ngige’s counsel, told the courtthat he had filed a bail application for his client. Although he acknowledgedthat the application was premature, he prayed the court to allow him move anoral bail application for his client. Ikwueto said the defendant was granted administrative bailby the EFCC and has abided by the bail conditions. He also said his client hasbeen in custody of the EFCC for three days and is unwell. He prayed the court to grant his client bail in the interimto allow him access to medical attention. Opposing the bail condition, Tahir said Ngige is a flightrisk. He said the defendant was granted administrative bail in October andallowed to go for medical treatment abroad on the condition that he must returnhis international passport upon arrival. The prosecution lawyer said Nigige has failed to submit thepassport since his return to Nigeria on November 19. Responding, Ikwueto said his client had written to thecommission upon his return informing them that he was robbed in London andimportant items, including documents, his international passport and cash, werestolen from him. He said he was able to return using a travel certificate.But Tahir said he was unaware of such a letter. In her ruling, Hassan ordered the defendant to be remandedin Kuje correctional facility and adjourned the case to Monday, November 15, tohear the bail application. She also added that the defendant be allowed access tomedical practitioners while in custody.

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