Former Labour Minister Chris Ngige was on Friday brought before an Abuja High Court in Gwarinpa by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over an alleged ₦2.2 billion contract fraud.
Justice Maryam Hassan ordered Ngige to remain in Kuje Prison pending his bail hearing, scheduled for December 14, 2025.
Ngige pleaded not guilty to eight charges, including abuse of office and receiving gifts from contractors linked to the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) during his tenure from 2015 to 2023.
After the plea, EFCC counsel Sylvanus Tahir (SAN) requested that the court set a trial date and urged that Ngige remain in custody until proceedings begin.
Ngige’s lead defence counsel, Patrick Ikwueto (SAN), opposed the remand request, seeking bail on health grounds.
He argued that Ngige had already spent three days in EFCC custody and stressed that as a well-known public figure, he was unlikely to flee. Ikwueto also argued that the charges were not comparable to terrorism or treason and therefore did not justify denying bail.
He further complained that the defence had not been given sufficient time to respond to the prosecution’s application.
The EFCC countered, stressing the serious nature of the alleged offences, which carry potential prison terms of at least five years, and noted that Ngige had not returned his passport following a medical trip in October.
The court subsequently adjourned the case to December 14 and ordered Ngige’s continued remand at Kuje Prison.
