Published on December 18, 2025
By Kayode Lawal
The Federal Capital Territory High Court has granted bail to former Minister of Labour, Dr. Chris Ngige, who is standing trial over an alleged N2.2 billion fraud.
Justice Maryam Aliyu Hassan, sitting in Abuja on Thursday, admitted Ngige to bail on liberal terms, adopting the administrative bail earlier granted to him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on self-recognition.
As part of the bail conditions, the court ordered the former Anambra State governor to provide a surety who must be a serving director in the Federal Government. The surety is required to own landed property within the Federal Capital Territory, backed by a valid Certificate of Occupancy, which must be deposited with the court.
The court further directed that the surety’s international passport be submitted to the court registrar. Pending the fulfillment of these conditions, Ngige is to remain in custody at the Kuje Correctional Centre.
In her ruling, Justice Hassan held that the offences for which Ngige is charged are bailable and emphasized that the Constitution presumes every defendant innocent until proven otherwise. She cautioned courts against imposing excessive or punitive bail conditions, noting that such practices could amount to a denial of bail.
Ngige was arraigned by the EFCC on December 12, 2025, on an eight-count charge bordering on corrupt practices allegedly committed while he served as Minister of Labour under the administration of late President Muhammadu Buhari. He pleaded not guilty to all charges.
His bail application, argued on December 15 by his counsel, Patrick Ikwueto, SAN, was opposed by EFCC lawyer, Sylvanus Tahir, SAN. The prosecution argued that Ngige had previously jumped administrative bail, failed to return travel documents released to him, and only resurfaced after being re-arrested.
The trial judge, however, ruled that these concerns could be addressed through appropriate bail safeguards rather than outright denial.
Justice Hassan has fixed January 28 and 29, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
According to the EFCC, the charges involve the alleged abuse of office to confer undue advantage on several companies linked to Ngige’s associates through multiple consultancy, training, supply, and construction contracts awarded by the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF). The cumulative value of the contracts is put at over N2.2 billion.
The former minister is also accused of corruptly receiving cash gifts through organisations linked to him, including campaign and scholarship schemes, in violation of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.