Former Labour Minister Chris Ngige granted administrative bail
Former Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chris Ngige, has pleaded not guilty to an eight-count corruption charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Ngige was arraigned on Friday before Justice Mariam Hassan at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Gwarinpa.
The EFCC accused the former minister of awarding eight contracts worth ₦583.6 million for supply, training and consultancy services through the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF).
During the hearing, EFCC counsel Sylvanus Tahir requested a date for the start of the trial and asked the court to remand the defendant in the commission’s custody.
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Ngige’s lawyer opposed the request, saying his client had already spent three days in EFCC custody and was willing to meet any bail conditions. He noted that the former minister, who left office over a year ago, is in poor health and needs medical attention.
Justice Hassan is expected to rule on the bail request at the next sitting.
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