- Safiu Kehinde
A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court sitting has granted former Minister of Labour, Chris Ngige, administrative bail.
Ngige who was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged N2.2 billion fraud, was granted bail during the hearing of his case on Thursday.
Prior to his appearance at the court today for the hearing of his bail application, the ex-Anambra governor was last week remanded in Kuje Correctional centre with the EFCC calling for the rejection of his bail application.
The court would however grant him bail based on self-recognition and ordered that he present his travel document to the commission as well as one surety.
He was also ordered to present a surety who is a director in a Federal Government employment, and who must have landed property.
The surety is expected to deposit documents of his landed property and travel documents with the court pending the finalisation of the retrieval of Ngige’s passport.
NPO Reported that the former minister had been arraigned on an eight-count charge of alleged corrupt practices to tune of ₦2.2bn which he pleaded not guilty to.
In count one the defendant was alleged to have between September 2015 to May 2023, while being the supervising Minister of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), used his position to confer an unfair advantage upon Cezimo Nigeria Limited, a company whose MD/CEO, Ezebinwa Amarachukwu Charles, is his associate.
Ngige was said to have awarded seven different contracts for consultancy, training and supply by the NSITF to the said company to the tune of N366.5 million.
In count two, the defendant was alleged to have while being the supervising Minister of NSITF, used his position to confer an unfair advantage upon Zitacom Nigeria Limited, a company whose MD/CEO and alter ego, Ezebinwa Amarachukwu Charles is his associate.
Ngige was alleged to have awarded eight different contracts for supply, training and consultancy, with NSITF, to the said company to the tune of N583.7 million.
Count three accused Ngige of using his position to confer an unfair advantage upon Jeff & Xris Limited, a company whose MD/CEO and alter ego, Nwosu Jideofor Chukwunwike is his associate.