Former Minister Ngige Remanded in Kuje Prison After Arraignment

A former Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, was on Friday brought before an Abuja High Court in Gwarinpa by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over an alleged N2.2bn contract fraud, marking a dramatic turn in the long-running scrutiny of his tenure.

Presiding judge, Justice Maryam Hassan, ordered that Ngige be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre until the court hears his bail application on Monday, December 14. The former minister pleaded not guilty to eight counts, which include allegations of abuse of office and receiving gifts from contractors linked to the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund during his time as its supervising minister from September 2015 to May 2023.

Following his plea, EFCC counsel, Sylvanus Tahir (SAN), requested a trial date and urged the court to keep Ngige in custody.
“In view of the not guilty plea entered by the defendant, we humbly apply for the trial date. We also pray my Lord that the accused person be remanded at Kuje prison pending the commencement of the full trial,” he said.

Ngige’s lead counsel, Patrick Ikwueto (SAN), pushed back firmly, insisting his client deserved bail on health grounds—especially after spending three days in EFCC custody before arraignment.
“The defendant has taken his plea, and your Lordship now has full control of the trial. He has been in EFCC custody for three days. The charge was only filed yesterday. Bail is a constitutional right. The defendant is not a flight risk—everyone in this country knows who he is,” Ikwueto argued.

He stressed that Ngige needed medical attention and questioned the practicality of sending him to Kuje, saying the facility lacked the capacity to manage his health concerns. He further argued that the charges were not of the kind—such as terrorism or treason—that justify the denial of bail.
“It’s not like he ate the ministry’s money or that of NSITF. The trial will reveal how the contracts were awarded. This is not a terrorism charge or treason offence,” he added.

Ikwueto also protested that the defence was not given adequate time to file a counter-affidavit in response to the EFCC’s request for remand.

But the prosecution maintained that the allegations against Ngige were too serious to be minimised.
“These offences are by no means minute; they are enormous crimes. If found guilty, he could spend at least five years in prison. The defence should not trivialise the matter or attempt to sway the Court,” the prosecution said.

The EFCC also informed the court that Ngige allegedly failed to return his international passport after being allowed to travel abroad for medical treatment in October—an action they suggested signals unreliability.

With both sides presenting sharply contrasting positions, Justice Hassan adjourned the case to December 14 and ordered that Ngige be remanded in Kuje pending the bail hearing.