ABUJA: An Abuja High Court on Thursday adopted the earlier bail conditions set by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for a former Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, who is standing trial over an alleged N2.2 billion fraud.
Delivering the ruling, Justice Maryam Hassan said the conditions include the provision of a surety who must be a director in the Federal Government, own a landed property within Abuja Municipal Area Council and possess an international passport, which must be deposited with the court registry alongside the certificate of occupancy of the property.
Justice Hassan also ordered Ngige to submit his international passport after obtaining a new one.
She held that bail conditions must not be unreasonable, noting that imposing overly stringent conditions was “as good as denying bail.”
Following the ruling, EFCC counsel, Eunice Daylo, requested two consecutive hearing dates for the commencement of trial. However, the judge adjourned the case to January 28 and 29, 2026, for trial.
Earlier, the EFCC had, on December 12, arraigned Ngige on eight counts bordering on fraud and acceptance of gifts.
According to the commission, the alleged offences were committed while Ngige served as Minister of Labour and Employment during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Ngige, a former Governor of Anambra State and former Senator, pleaded not guilty to all the charges, prompting his remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing and determination of his bail application.
On December 15, the court heard arguments on the bail application through Ngige’s counsel, Patrick Ikwueto (SAN), who urged the court to consider the defendant’s age and health status.
Ikwueto also argued that Ngige had no previous criminal record and was not likely to commit the alleged offences again.
In response, the EFCC, through its counsel, Sylvanus Tahir (SAN), opposed the bail application, arguing that Ngige had violated the terms of an earlier administrative bail granted by the commission, making him a flight risk.
After listening to arguments from both parties, the court reserved its ruling until Thursday.
The EFCC alleged that Ngige awarded contracts to associates and accepted monetary gratifications from some of them through his organisation, Dr Chris Nwabueze Ngige Campaign Organisation.
According to the charges, Ngige allegedly awarded seven contracts worth over N366 million for consultancy, training and supply by the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) to Cezimo Nigeria Limited, a company owned by his associate, Ezebinwa Charles.
The commission further alleged that he awarded eight additional contracts worth over N583 million to another company belonging to Charles.
It was also alleged that Ngige used his office to give preferential treatment by awarding eight contracts valued at over N362 million to Jeff & Xris Limited, owned by Nwosu Chukwunwike.
Other companies allegedly awarded contracts under controversial circumstances include, Olde English Consolidated Limited and Shale Atlantic Intercontinental Services Limited, both owned by Uzoma Igbonwa, to the tune of N668 million and N161 million, respectively.
The EFCC further alleged that Ngige received gratifications from NSITF contractors through his organisation, including N38.6 million from Cezimo Nigeria Limited, N55 million from Zitacom Nigeria Limited and N26 million from Jeff & Xris Limited.
The commission said the alleged offences contravene Sections 17(a) and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, and are punishable under Section 17(c) of the same Act.
