By Kamsi Anayo, Awka
A Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Gwarinpa has ruled that former Minister of Labour, Dr Chris Ngige will remain on an administrative bail earlier granted to him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Justice Mariam Hassan ordered that the former Minister of Labour and Employment continue to enjoy the bail but directed him to produce a surety who must be a serving director in the federal civil service and possess landed property.
The court further ordered that the surety deposit the property documents and travel documents with the court pending the completion of the process for retrieving Ngige’s passport.
Ngige was arraigned by the EFCC on an eight-count charge bordering on alleged corrupt practices amounting to ₦2.2 billion.
Ngige pleaded not guilty to eight counts bordering on abuse of office and acceptance of gifts from contractors of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund while he served as its supervising minister between September 2015 and May 2023.
The anti-graft agency had initially granted Ngige bail on self-recognition, with conditions that he submit his travel documents and provide a surety.
Prior to the court session, he had been remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre.
Court documents show that the charges, dated October 31 and filed on December 9, were brought by a prosecution team led by Sylvanus Tahir (SAN).
The EFCC alleged that the offences were committed while Ngige served as Minister of Labour and Employment under President Muhammadu Buhari.
