BREAKING: Court grants Chris Ngige bail

‎The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Gwarinpa, Abuja, granted bail to the former Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige.
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‎The decision, delivered by Justice Maryam Hassan, allows Ngige to leave the Kuje Correctional Centre where he had been remanded since his arraignment on December 12.
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‎Dr. Chris Ngige, who served as the Governor of Anambra State from 2003-2006, was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on an eight-count charge.
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‎Ngige was remanded because during his tenure as Minister from 2015-2023, he allegedly used his position to influence the award of multi-million naira contracts within the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) to companies linked to his personal associates.
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‎The defense team, led by Patrick Ikwueto (SAN), pleaded for his release, due to his deteriorating health and the fact that the alleged crimes were not capital offenses.
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‎Justice Hassan ruled that Ngige must provide a surety who is a Director in the Federal Civil Service and who owns landed property within the jurisdiction of the country.
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‎The EFCC stated that Ngige lost his international passport after failing to report back from a medical trip abroad while on administrative bail. The court ordered the surety to deposit their own international passport until Ngige produces his or completes the retrieval process.
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‎The EFCC alleges that contracts totaling over ₦2.1 billion were diverted to five specific companies, Cezimo Nigeria Limited, Zitacom Nigeria Limited, Jeff & Xris Limited, Olde English Consolidated Limited, and Shale Atlantic Intercontinental Services Limited, all purportedly linked to Ngige’s associates.
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‎The trial has been adjourned to January 28 and 29, 2026. Ngige will remain in custody until the bail conditions, including the verification of the director-level surety and the landed property titles, are fully met.
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