Chris Ngige, a former minister of labor and employment, was remanded to Kuje Correctional Center on Friday by an Abuja High Court while his bail plea was being considered.
Ngige was arraigned on Friday by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly committing a N2.2 billion fraud.
Eight charges of fraud and receiving bribes have been brought against Ngige, the former governor of Anambra.
From May 29, 2003, until March 17, 2006, the defendant held the office of governor of Anambra on the PDP platform.
Between 2015 and 2023, he was a minister in the cabinet of the late President Muhammadu Buhari.
On Wednesday, Ngige was detained by the EFCC.
He is accused of committing fraud while serving as Minister of Labor and Employment, which is why he is being charged.
He was charged by the EFCC with giving seven contracts totaling more than N366 million “for consultancy, training and supply by the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF)” to Cezimo Nigeria Limited, a business owned by his partner Ezebinwa Charles.
The EFCC claimed that Ngige gave eight contracts totaling more than N583 million to a different business owned by Mr. Charles.
Additionally, the EFCC said that the defendant awarded eight contracts totaling more than N362 million to Jeff & Xris Limited, a business owned by Nwosu Chukwunwike, by using his position to grant preferential treatment.
He also gave contracts worth N668 million to Olde English Consolidated Limited and N161 million to Shale Atlantic Intercontinental Services Limited, all of which belong to Uzoma Igbonwa.
These offenses are in violation of section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Act, 2000, according to the EFCC.
Additionally, Ngige was charged by the anti-graft agency of using “his organization, called Senator (Dr Chris Nwabueze Ngige Campaign Organization from Cezimo Nigeria Limited (Zenith Bank Account Number 1011901119)” to obtain payments from NSITF contractors.
Ngige allegedly received N38.6 million from Cezimo Nigeria Limited, N55 million from Zitacom Nigeria Limited, and N26 million from Jeff & Xris Limited, according to the EFCC.
According to the EFCC, this is punishable under section 17(c) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000 and violates section 17(a) of the same Act.
On all the counts, however, he entered a not guilty plea.
Sylvanus Tahir, SAN, the EFCC’s attorney, requested a trial date and asked the court to place Ngige under detention in Kuje Custodial Center.
However, Ngige’s attorney, Patrick Ikwueto, SAN, stated that they were only made aware of the arraignment yesterday and were unable to submit an application for bail.
Ikwueto pleaded with the judge to grant Ngige conditional bail based on his health.
Additionally, he made an effort to move for the defendant’s self-recognition oral bail application.
Tahir pointed out that the court could not receive both an oral and a written application.
He added that one of Ngige’s prior bail requirements was that he submit his foreign passport.
However, Ngige’s foreign passport was taken, according to Ikweto, and the EFCC has been notified via letter.
Tahir said he was unaware of the report.
After hearing their arguments, Justice Maryam Hassan placed him under remand at the Kuje Correctional Center.
The hearing and decision regarding his bail application were postponed until Monday by Justice Hassan.
