By Crystal Ugoeze
A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), sitting in Gwarinpa, Abuja, on Thursday granted bail to a former Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, who is standing trial over alleged contract fraud totalling N2.2 billion.
Justice Maryam Hassan, in her ruling, adopted the administrative bail earlier granted to Ngige by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), six days after he was remanded in custody.
As part of the bail conditions, the court ordered Ngige to produce a surety who must be a civil servant not below the rank of director and an owner of landed property within the FCT. The former minister was also directed to surrender his international passport and was barred from travelling خارج the country without the court’s permission.
Justice Hassan dismissed a preliminary objection filed by the EFCC opposing the bail application, holding that the court has discretionary powers to grant bail, which must be exercised judiciously and without unreasonable conditions.
The case was adjourned to January 28 and 29, 2026, for trial.
Ngige, who served as minister between November 2015 and May 2023, was arraigned on December 12 on an eight-count charge bordering on abuse of office and receipt of kickbacks linked to contracts awarded by the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF).
Although he pleaded not guilty, the court initially ordered his remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing of his bail application.
The EFCC alleged that Ngige used his office to confer undue advantage on companies linked to his associates by approving consultancy, training, and supply contracts running into hundreds of millions of naira. The alleged offences are said to contravene provisions of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
The prosecution, led by EFCC counsel, Mr Sylvanus Tahir, SAN, opposed the bail request, arguing that the defendant violated an earlier administrative bail by failing to return his passport after travelling abroad for medical reasons. The EFCC also cited the gravity of the offences and possible prison terms upon conviction.
However, defence counsel, Mr Patrick Ikwueto, SAN, urged the court to grant bail, arguing that the charges were bailable and that Ngige’s health condition could not be adequately managed in prison custody.