A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of former Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, at the Kuje Custodial Centre over alleged contract fraud amounting to ₦2.2 billion.
Dr. Ngige was arraigned on Friday before Honourable Justice Mariam Hassan, who directed that he be taken into custody pending the hearing of his bail application, scheduled for Monday, December 15, 2025.
The former minister is the sole defendant in the case marked FCT/HC/CR/726/2025. He had been in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) since his arrest on Tuesday before being handed over to the Nigerian Correctional Service in compliance with the court’s order.
According to the prosecution, Ngige allegedly committed the offences while serving as supervising Minister of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) between September 2015 and May 2023, during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
At the proceedings, EFCC counsel, Sylvanus Tahir, requested that the court fix a trial date and remand the defendant in the custody of the anti-graft agency pending the determination of his bail application.
Counsel to the former minister opposed the request, arguing that Ngige had already spent three days in EFCC custody. The defence described him as a prominent public figure with no flight risk and assured the court of his willingness to comply with any bail conditions. Ngige’s lawyers also raised concerns about his alleged health challenges, urging the court to consider the need for proper medical care.
The EFCC filed an eight-count charge against Ngige, accusing him of abusing his office to confer unfair advantages on four companies allegedly linked to his associates through the award of multiple NSITF contracts valued at over ₦2.2 billion.
The allegations include the award of seven contracts worth ₦366.47 million to Cezimo Nigeria Limited; eight contracts valued at ₦583.68 million to Zitacom Nigeria Limited; eight contracts amounting to ₦362.04 million to Jeff & Xris Limited; and four contracts worth ₦668.14 million to Olde English Consolidated Limited.
Dr. Ngige is expected to return to court on December 15, 2025, when the court will hear and determine his bail application.
