By Dennis Okechukwu
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday commenced full trial in the corruption case against former Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, as a Federal Capital Territory High Court admitted a petition alleging contract fraud at the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) into evidence.
Ngige is facing an eight-count charge bordering on abuse of office, acceptance of unlawful benefits, and contract irregularities amounting to over ₦2.2 billion during his tenure as supervising minister of the NSITF between 2015 and 2023.
At the hearing, the EFCC called its first prosecution witness, Mr. Pedro Chele, an entrepreneur and project manager with Imanihad Nigeria Limited, whose petition triggered investigations into alleged breaches of due process in NSITF contract awards.
Chele told the court that in 2017 his company responded to a public advertisement for the renovation of the NSITF office in Makurdi, Benue State, and was prequalified for the project. However, after submitting a financial bid of ₦85 million, he said the NSITF failed to provide feedback for an extended period.
According to the witness, his inquiries to the NSITF were ignored, prompting him to escalate the matter to the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP). He said the BPP later requested details of the contract from the NSITF, but the request was allegedly declined.
Chele further testified that he later discovered the contract had been awarded to Altitude Global Links Limited, a company he claimed did not participate in the bidding process. He also told the court that the original contract was altered from renovation to completion of the building, with the cost increased to ₦120 million.
Following the discovery, Chele said his lawyers petitioned the EFCC, leading to an investigation in 2023.
During cross-examination by Ngige’s counsel, Mr. Patrick Ikwueto, SAN, the witness admitted that his petition was directed at the NSITF management and not individual board members. He also confirmed that he never received a letter of award for the Makurdi project and did not execute any agreement with the NSITF.
Chele further disclosed that after his complaint to the BPP, NSITF officials invited him and urged him to drop the matter, promising future contracts. He said his company was subsequently awarded two contracts of ₦10 million each, although one was later withdrawn, despite the fact that he did not bid for them.
Justice Maryam Hassan overruled objections by the defence and admitted the petitions tendered by the prosecution as Exhibit P1, noting that issues surrounding their weight would be addressed at the final stage of the trial.
The court adjourned proceedings to Thursday for continuation of cross-examination.
Ngige was arraigned in December 2025 and was later granted bail after spending six days in Kuje Correctional Centre. As part of the bail conditions, he was ordered to produce a senior civil servant as surety, submit property documents within the FCT, and seek court permission before travelling abroad.
The EFCC alleges that Ngige used his office to influence the award of multiple NSITF consultancy, training, and supply contracts to companies linked to his associates, in violation of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.