EFCC arraigns Ngige over contract fraud, gratification

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a former Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chris Ngige, over alleged contract fraud.

Ngige, a former Anambra state governor was arraigned on Friday on an eight-count charge before a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) sitting in Gwarimpa, Abuja.

Upon arraignment, Ngige pleaded not guilty to all the counts preferred against him by the anti-graft agency.

In the charge dated October 31, the Commission alleged that Ngige used his position to confer undue advantage by awarding multiple contracts to associates and companies linked to him.

Ngige was governor of Anambra state from 2003 to 2006, and Labour Minister from 2015 to 2023.

According to reports, the former Minister was forcibly removed from his residence on Justice Mohammed Bello Road, Asokoro, Abuja, by around 20 EFCC operatives from the Wuse II Zonal office on Wednesday.

A family member, who described the operation as a “commando-style raid”, added that Ngige was not allowed to change out of his pyjamas before being taken away.

Ngige had previously been on administrative bail with the EFCC, following an invitation for questioning over undisclosed matters.

He had been cooperating with the agency, maintaining contact and complying with its requests, including returning his travel documents.

Ngige reportedly planned a medical trip to the United States but had to abort it after losing his passport while in transit through the United Kingdom.

He later obtained temporary travel documents from the Nigerian High Commission in the UK to return to Abuja.

Upon his return, Ngige is said to have prepared a letter to the EFCC explaining the loss of his passport and his inability to immediately report back to the agency, but he had not yet submitted it when the EFCC operatives raided his home.

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