A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Gwarimpa, Abuja, on Friday rejected an oral bail application for former Minister of Labour, Dr. Chris Nwabueze Ngige, and ordered that he remain in Kuje Prison until December 15.
Ngige, who also served as governor of Anambra State, was arraigned the same day by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on an eight-count charge of corrupt practices. He pleaded not guilty to all charges.
His lawyer, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Patrick Ikwueto, attempted to argue a formal bail application, but EFCC counsel Sylvanus Tahir, SAN, opposed it, saying he had only just received the application and needed time to respond. Justice Maryam Aliyu Hassan turned down the oral application and directed that the formal bail request be heard on Monday, December 15.
The charges, filed under case number FCT/HC/CR/726/2025, allege that Ngige committed the offences while serving as Minister of Labour between September 2015 and May 2023.
The counts include:
- Count 1: Awarding seven contracts worth 366,470,920.68 naira to Cezimo Nigeria Limited.
- Count 2: Granting eight contracts totaling 583,682,686.00 naira to Zitacom Nigeria Limited.
- Count 3: Awarding eight contracts worth 362,043,163.16 naira to Jeff & Xris Limited.
- Count 4: Granting four contracts totaling 668,138,141.00 naira to Olde English Consolidated Limited.
- Count 5: Awarding four contracts worth 161,604,625.00 naira to Shale Atlantic Intercontinental Services Limited.
The first five counts are alleged violations of Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
Counts six to eight accuse Ngige of corruptly accepting gifts:
- Count 6: 38,650,000 naira from Cezimo Nigeria Limited through his campaign organisation.
- Count 7: 55,003,000 naira from Zitacom Nigeria Limited via his scholarship scheme.
- Count 8: 26,130,000 naira from Jeff & Xris Limited through the scholarship scheme.
These counts are alleged violations of Sections 17(a) and 17(c) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
Ngige will remain in EFCC custody pending the hearing of his formal bail application on December 15.