Justice Maryam Aliyu Hassan of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory has granted former Minister of Labour, Dr. Chris Ngige, bail on liberal terms pending trial over allegations of ₦2.2 billion fraud.
The judge adopted the administrative bail earlier granted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on self‑recognizance but added conditions: Ngige must produce a surety who is a Federal Government director, owns landed property in the FCT with a valid Certificate of Occupancy, and deposit both the certificate and their international passport with the court registrar.
Until these conditions are met, Ngige will remain in Kuje Prison. Justice Hassan emphasized that the charges are bailable and reminded the court that under the Constitution, a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
She cautioned against imposing excessively harsh bail terms that could amount to denial of bail.
Ngige, a former governor of Anambra State, was arraigned on December 12, 2025 by the EFCC on an eight‑count charge of corrupt practices, to which he pleaded not guilty.
His counsel, Patrick Ikwueto, SAN, argued for bail, but EFCC’s lead counsel, Sylvanus Tahir, SAN, opposed it, claiming Ngige had previously jumped bail and failed to return travel documents issued for overseas travel.
The charges (FCT/HC/CR/726/2025) allege that Ngige, while serving as Minister of Labour under late President Muhammadu Buhari, awarded contracts worth billions to companies linked to associates:
- Cezimo Nigeria Limited – ₦366.4m
- Zitacom Nigeria Limited – ₦583.6m
- Jeff & Xris Limited – ₦362m
- Olde English Consolidated Limited – ₦668.1m
- Shale Atlantic Intercontinental Services Limited – ₦161.6m
He is also accused of accepting corrupt gifts totaling ₦119.7m through his campaign and scholarship organisations from contractors with the NSITF.
Justice Hassan has scheduled the trial for January 28 and 29, 2026.
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