Former Anambra State governor and immediate past Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, is currently in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and was not kidnapped, despite widespread panic and speculation that spread across political circles on Wednesday.
His media aide, Fred Chukwuelobe, moved quickly to dispel the rumour after receiving numerous calls from journalists, associates and concerned supporters.
The clarification comes against the backdrop of long-standing corruption allegations linked to Ngige’s political career. At one point, the EFCC issued a report accusing him of diverting or laundering over N46 billion allocated to Anambra’s local governments during his tenure as governor.
During his later role overseeing the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, NSITF, as Minister of Labour, he was also questioned by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, with EFCC involvement, over suspected contract irregularities and claims of ‘job-racketeering.’
In a brief statement issued on Wednesday, Chukwuelobe explained that the rumour circulated rapidly, prompting him to address Ngige’s actual situation.
He wrote, “I have been receiving calls in the past hour from friends and journalists seeking the veracity of the news making the rounds that His Excellency, Dr. Chris Ngige, former Governor of Anambra State and immediate past Minister of Labour and Employment, ‘has been kidnapped.’”
Chukwuelobe stressed that there was no abduction, confirming that the former minister is simply with anti-graft officials.
“Ngige is with the EFCC. He was not ‘abducted’ or ‘kidnapped’,” he stated.
Attempts to independently verify the development from the EFCC were unsuccessful as of Wednesday night, as the Commission remained silent, and its spokesman, Dele Oyewale, did not comment on Ngige’s reported arrest.
Chukwuelobe added that further details regarding Ngige’s situation would be provided when available.
His intervention helped ease initial public concerns and redirected attention to the EFCC’s ongoing engagement with the former minister.
