The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has concluded plans to arraign the former Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, today (Friday) over alleged fraud amounting to ₦2,261,722,535.84.
Court officials confirmed that the former Minister is scheduled to take his plea at the Gwarinpa Division of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja.
According to court documents, Ngige is facing an eight-count charge bordering on abuse of office and corruptly receiving monetary gifts from contractors of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), an agency he supervised between September 2015 and May 2023.
Counts one to five detail how Ngige allegedly used his position to confer undue advantages on companies linked to his associates through the award of multiple contracts. The total value of these contracts exceeds ₦2.1 billion.
In the first count, the EFCC alleged that Ngige used his position to confer an unfair advantage on Cezimo Nigeria Limited, linked to an associate, by approving seven NSITF consultancy, training and supply contracts worth N366,470,920.68.
The offence, according to the EFCC, is contrary to and punishable under Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
In the second count, he was accused of awarding eight contracts worth ₦583,682,686 to Zitacom Nigeria Limited, a company also linked to an associate.
“Between September 2015 to May 2023 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court and being the supervising Minister of the NSITF, you used your said position to confer an unfair advantage upon Zitacom Nigeria Limited, a company whose MD/CEO and alter ego, Ezebinwa Amarachukwu Charles is your associate, by the award of eight different contracts for supply, training and consultancy, with the NSITF, to the said company to the tune of N583,682,686.00 and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000,” the second count read.
The EFCC also alleged that eight NSITF contracts valued at ₦362,043,163.16 were awarded to Jeff & Xris Limited, a company whose MD/CEO and alter ego, Nwosu Chukwunwike, is the ex-minister’s associate.
In the fourth count, Ngige was accused of influencing four contracts worth ₦668,138,141 in favour of Olde English Consolidated Limited.
The EFCC alleged that, “You, Chris Ngige, whilst being the Minister of Labour and Employment of the Federal Republic of Nigeria between September 2015 to May 2023 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court and being the supervising Minister of the NSITF, used your said position to confer an unfair advantage upon Olde English Consolidated Limited, a company whose MD/CEO and alter ego, Uzoma Igbonwa is your associate, by the award of four different contracts for consultancy, training and construction by the NSITF to the said company to the tune of N668,138,141.00 and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.”
In the fifth count, Ngige was alleged to have given four contracts worth N161,604,625 to Shale Atlantic Intercontinental Services Limited, whose owner was identified Uzoma Igbonwa, an associate of Ngige.
Counts six to eight accused the former minister of corruptly receiving monetary gifts from NSITF contractors between May and June 2022.
The EFCC alleged that he received N38,650,000 through his campaign organisation from Cezimo Nigeria Limited, N55,003,000 through his scholarship scheme from Zitacom Nigeria Limited, and N26,130,000 from Jeff & Xris Limited.
These latter offences are alleged to violate sections 17(a) and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
Ngige, a former Governor of Anambra State, is expected to formally respond to the charges when the case is called today.
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