A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has ordered the remand of former Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, in the Kuje Correctional Centre following his arraignment on corruption charges.
Justice Mariam Hassan issued the order yesterday after Ngige appeared in court to face an eight-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The former minister, who served in President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration from 2015 to 2023, pleaded not guilty to all the allegations.
According to the EFCC, Ngige abused his office by allegedly awarding multiple contracts to a company linked to an associate, Cezimo Nigeria Limited, amounting to ₦366.47 million. He is also accused of receiving gifts worth several millions of naira through his organisations while in office.
His bail application could not be heard immediately, as it was only served on the prosecution shortly before the proceedings began.
Ngige’s lead counsel, Patrick Ikweato (SAN), asked the court to grant temporary bail on health grounds, but the EFCC’s counsel, Sylvanus Tahir (SAN), opposed the request, arguing that the former minister posed a flight risk.
Justice Hassan adjourned the hearing on the bail application to Monday, December 15, directing that Ngige remain in custody until then.