EFCC opposes Ngige’s bail request in alleged N2.26bn fraud case, seeks accelerated trial
The {Economic} and {Financial} Crimes Fee has opposed the bail software filed by a former Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, following his arraignment earlier than Justice M.A. Hassan of the Federal Capital Territory Excessive Courtroom sitting in Gwarimpa, Abuja.
Ngige is standing trial over alleged contract fraud and the acceptance of items amounting to N2,261,722,535.84.
The costs had been introduced by the EFCC, which urged the court docket to deal with the bail request with warning, citing the defendant’s conduct whereas on administrative bail.
Main the prosecution, Sylvanus Tahir, SAN, informed the court docket that Ngige did not adjust to situations hooked up to the executive bail earlier granted to him by the Fee. In line with the prosecution, the previous minister was allowed to journey overseas on medical grounds on the situation that he would return his worldwide passport upon his return to Nigeria.
Tahir informed the court docket that the defendant didn’t honour that enterprise till he was ultimately arrested by the EFCC.
“He made an enterprise that he’ll return the passport on November 19, 2025. The defendant couldn’t acquire an affidavit of loss within the UK however fairly selected to return again to Nigeria to acquire an affidavit. What stopped him from acquiring a related police report from London?” they stated.
The prosecution argued that the reason given by the defendant for the alleged lack of his passport lacked credibility, stating that correct documentation ought to have been obtained within the nation the place the loss reportedly occurred fairly than in Nigeria.
The EFCC maintained that Ngige’s actions amounted to a breach of the executive bail earlier granted to him and warned the court docket towards extending comparable phrases via judicial bail.
“What we’re saying, my Lord, is that the defendant is in gross breach of the executive bail granted by the EFCC. Immediately, he’s asking this court docket to grant him bail in phrases and situations granted by the EFCC. Allow us to not shoot ourselves within the leg, ”they stated
The prosecution argued that the defendant breached Part 162 of the Administration of Felony Justice Act, 2015 and warranted the court docket’s refusal of the bail software.
“The defendant is in violation of Part 162 of the Administration of Felony Justice Act, 2015. He undermines and jeopardises the supply of ACJA. The totality of this case requires excessive warning, we submit that the court docket ought to refuse the applying and order for accelerated trial,” the company said.
In a case filed on the Federal Capital Territory Excessive Courtroom in Gwarimpa, Abuja, the EFCC is prosecuting former Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, over alleged corruption linked to his tenure as supervising minister of the Nigeria Social Insurance coverage Belief Fund.
The Fee alleges that between 2015 and 2023, Ngige abused his workplace by awarding a number of consultancy, provide, and development contracts to firms linked to associates, in violation of the Corrupt Practices and Different Associated Offences Act, 2000.
Along with the contract allegations, the fees additionally embrace claims that Ngige accepted {financial} advantages valued at N2,261,722,535.84 from contractors via organisations linked to him whereas he was nonetheless in workplace. The EFCC says these alleged acts type a part of the idea of the continued prosecution earlier than the FCT Excessive Courtroom
Ngige pleaded not responsible to all costs, and Justice Maryam Hassan has reserved ruling on his bail software till Thursday, December 18, 2025, with the previous minister remaining on the Kuje Correctional Facility pending the choice.