By Ayomide Otitoju
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a former Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chris Ngige, before Justice Mariam Hassan of the Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Gwarinpa, Abuja, over alleged corruption-related offences.
Ngige, a former governor of Anambra State, was arraigned on an eight-count charge and appeared in court at about 8:10 a.m. on Friday, accompanied by officials of the EFCC. He is the sole defendant in the charge marked FCT/HC/CR/726/2025.
According to the charge dated October 31 and filed on December 9, the alleged offences were committed between September 2015 and May 2023 while Ngige served as Minister of Labour and Employment under former President Muhammadu Buhari. The prosecution team is led by Sylvanus Tahir, SAN.
In the first count, Ngige was accused of using his position as supervising minister of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) to confer unfair advantage on Cezimo Nigeria Limited, a company allegedly linked to his associate, Ezebinwa Amarachukwu Charles. He was said to have approved seven consultancy, training and supply contracts awarded by the NSITF to the firm, valued at ₦366.47 million.
Count two alleged that Ngige similarly favoured Zitacom Nigeria Limited, also linked to the same associate, through the award of eight contracts for supply, training and consultancy worth ₦583.68 million.
In count three, the former minister was accused of conferring unfair advantage on Jeff & Xris Limited, allegedly owned by another associate, Nwosu Jideofor Chukwunwike, through eight NSITF contracts valued at ₦362.04 million.
Count four alleged that Ngige approved four consultancy, training and construction contracts worth ₦668.14 million in favour of Olde English Consolidated Limited, a company linked to Uzoma Igbonwa, described as his associate.
In count five, he was accused of awarding four NSITF contracts for consultancy, training and supply valued at ₦161.6 million to Shale Atlantic Intercontinental Services Limited, also allegedly linked to the same associate.
The EFCC said the offences in counts one to five were contrary to and punishable under Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
In count six, Ngige was accused of corruptly accepting ₦38.65 million through an organisation known as the “Senator (Dr) Chris Nwabueze Ngige Campaign Organisation” from Cezimo Nigeria Limited, an NSITF contractor, while performing his official duties.
Count seven alleged that he accepted ₦55.003 million through the “Senator (Dr) Chris Ngige Scholarship Scheme” from Zitacom Nigeria Limited, while count eight accused him of receiving ₦26.13 million through the same scholarship scheme from Jeff & Xris Limited, both companies said to be contractors with the NSITF.
The EFCC said the alleged acceptance of gifts violated Section 17(a) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, and is punishable under Section 19(c) of the Act.
The case was adjourned by the court for further proceedings.
