Alleged N2.2bn fraud: Ngige to remain in custody till Dec 18

An FCT High Court has directed that a former Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, remain in the Nigerian Correctional Service centre in Kuje, FCT, pending the ruling on his bail application fixed for Thursday, December 18. Justice Maryam Hassan, on Monday, ordered the remand of the former minister after taking arguments on the bail application by the defence and prosecution lawyers. Recall that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Friday, arraigned Ngige on an eight-count charge over alleged N2.2bn contract fraud and abuse of office and acceptance of gifts from contractors of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) while he served as its supervising minister between September, 2015, and May, 2023. However, Ngige pleaded not guilty to the allegations. Earlier, defence counsel, Patrick Ikwueto (SAN), requested the court to admit his client to bail on health grounds, maintaining that the former Governor of Anambra State would not jump bail or interfere with the evidence. In objecting, EFCC counsel, Sylvanus Tahir (SAN), opposed the bail, arguing that Ngige failed to return his international passport after he was permitted to travel for medical treatment in October, and claimed he lost his passport after he was rearrested.

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