A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory sitting in Gwarinpa has postponed its ruling on the bail application filed by former Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, until Thursday.
Justice Maryam Hassan adjourned the matter after listening to submissions from both the prosecution and defence teams.
Ngige, who served as minister between November 11, 2015 and May 29, 2023, is standing trial on an eight-count corruption charge filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. The charges relate to alleged contract fraud running into more than N2.2 billion.
Although the former minister pleaded not guilty when he was arraigned last Friday, the court ordered that he be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja while his bail application is being considered.
Part of the allegations against him include abuse of office and claims that he received kickbacks from companies awarded contracts by the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund. The prosecution alleged that Ngige used his position to give undue advantage to associates by influencing the award of contracts to firms linked to them.
The offences are said to be punishable under various provisions of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
The EFCC, through its legal team led by Sylvanus Tahir, SAN, opposed the bail application. The prosecution argued that Ngige violated an earlier administrative bail granted by the commission by failing to return his international passport after travelling abroad in October for medical treatment.
The anti-graft agency also urged the court to consider the seriousness of the charges, noting that conviction could attract a minimum prison term of five years.
In response, defence counsel Patrick Ikwueto, SAN, asked the court to grant his client bail pending the conclusion of the trial. He complained that Ngige had already spent three days in EFCC custody before being brought to court.
Ikwueto argued that bail is a constitutional right and maintained that the defendant is a well-known public figure who poses no flight risk.
He also informed the court that Ngige is not in good health and that the correctional facility lacks adequate medical facilities to cater for his condition.
The defence further insisted that the offences charged are bailable, stressing that they do not carry capital punishment. According to him, the allegations would be properly addressed during trial.
The EFCC alleged that Ngige approved seven consultancy, training and supply contracts valued at N366,470,920.68 in favour of Cezimo Nigeria Limited, a company linked to one of his associates.
The commission also accused him of awarding eight NSITF contracts worth N583,682,686 to Zitacom Nigeria Limited, whose managing director is said to be his associate, as well as another eight contracts valued at N362,043,163.16 to Jeff & Xris Limited, also linked to an associate.
In addition, the former minister was accused of influencing contracts worth N668,138,141 in favour of Olde English Consolidated Limited and approving further contracts valued at N161,604,625 through another firm connected to the same associate.
The prosecution further alleged that between May and June 2022, Ngige received various sums of money from NSITF contractors, including N38,650,000 from Cezimo Nigeria Limited, N55,003,000 from Zitacom Nigeria Limited through a scholarship scheme, and N26,130,000 from Jeff & Xris Limited.
All the alleged offences are said to contravene sections 17(a) and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
