The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Gwarinpa, Abuja, has granted bail to Chris Ngige, former minister of labour and employment.
Maryam Hassan, the presiding judge, ordered that Ngige should continue on the administrative bail previously granted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The court directed that Ngige must present a surety who is a director employed by the federal government.
The surety must also own a landed property and deposit documents of the property and travel documents with the court until Ngige retrieves his own passport.
The EFCC had earlier granted Ngige administrative bail in October on self-recognisance and with one surety, allowing him to travel abroad for medical treatment on the condition that he return his international passport upon arrival.
In opposing the bail application, Sylvanus Tahir, prosecution counsel, told the court that Ngige had not submitted his passport since returning to Nigeria on November 19.
Responding, Patrick Ikwueto, Ngige’s counsel, said his client wrote to the commission upon his return, explaining that he had been robbed in London and important items, including his passport and cash, were stolen.
Ngige was arraigned on Friday before Judge Hassan on an eight-count charge involving misuse of office, contract fraud and receiving gratification.
The charge, dated October 31, alleges that the former minister used his office to confer undue advantage by awarding contracts to associates and companies linked to him.
The EFCC stated that between September 2015 and May 2023, Ngige, while serving as supervising minister of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), approved seven contracts for consultancy, training and supply to Cezimo Nigeria Limited, valued at N366,470,920.68.
Cezimo Nigeria Limited’s managing director, Ezebinwa Amarachukwu Charles, is described as an associate of Ngige.
The EFCC said the offences violate section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
Other companies allegedly benefitting from contracts approved under Ngige include Zitacom Nigeria Limited, whose MD/CEO is also Ezebinwa, which received eight contracts worth N583,682,686.
Jeff & Xris Limited, owned by Nwosu Jideofor Chukwunwike, allegedly secured eight contracts valued at N362,043,163.16.
Olde English Consolidated Limited, led by Uzoma Igbonwa, was said to have received four contracts for consultancy, training and construction totalling N668,138,141.
Shale Atlantic Intercontinental Services Limited, also linked to Igbonwa, allegedly received another four contracts worth N161,604,625.
Ngige was also accused of corruptly accepting a N38,650,000 gift through the Chris Nwabueze Ngige Campaign Organisation from Cezimo Nigeria Limited (Zenith Bank Account Number 1011901119).
He was said to have received an additional N55,003,000 through the Senator (r) Chris Ngige Scholarship Scheme from Zitacom Nigeria Limited (Zenith Bank Account Number 1017263219).
Upon arraignment, Ngige pleaded not guilty to all counts.