The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed an eight-count charge against former Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chris Ngige.
According to reports, the former Anambra State governor is expected to be arraigned on Friday at the FCT High Court in Gwarimpa, Abuja.
The charge, dated 31 October and filed by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Sylvanus Tahir alongside five other lawyers on behalf of the EFCC, alleges that Ngige misused his position as a former minister to grant undue advantage by awarding various contracts to his associates and to companies believed to be linked to him.
In Count 1, the former minister is accused of using his office, while serving as the supervising Minister of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), between September 2015 and May 2023, to confer an unfair advantage on Cezimo Nigeria Limited. The company, whose MD/CEO and alter ego is Ezebinwa Amarachukwu Charles, is believed to be his associate.
He allegedly awarded seven NSITF contracts to the firm for consultancy, training, and supply, totalling N366,470,920.68. This is said to violate Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
Other companies listed in the charge include Zitacom Nigeria Limited, whose MD/CEO and alter ego, Ezebinwa Amarachukwu Charles, received eight contracts for supply, training, and consultancy totalling N583,682,686.00; and Jeff & Xris Limited, whose MD/CEO and alter ego, Nwosu Jideofor Chukwunwike, secured eight contracts worth N362,043,163.16.
Also mentioned are Olde English Consolidated Limited, whose MD/CEO, Uzoma Igbonwa, received four NSITF contracts for consultancy, training, and construction totalling N668,138,141.00; and Shale Atlantic Intercontinental Services Limited, linked to the same MD/CEO, which received another four contracts valued at N161,604,625.00.
Ngige was arrested in Abuja on Wednesday night and has remained in EFCC custody since then.
