The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has urged the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Gwarimpa, Abuja, to reject the bail application filed by former Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, following his arraignment on multiple counts of contract fraud and acceptance of unlawful financial benefits amounting to ₦2.26 billion.
Presiding over the case, Justice Maryam Hassan heard the EFCC’s argument that the defendant’s conduct while previously on administrative bail demonstrated a lack of respect for due process and conditions imposed by law enforcement authorities.
EFCC Alleges Breach of Bail Terms
In its submission, the EFCC, represented by Sylvanus Tahir, SAN, told the court that Ngige had violated the conditions attached to the administrative bail earlier granted to him by the Commission. According to Tahir, the former minister was allowed to travel abroad for medical treatment under the condition that he would return his international passport immediately upon his arrival back in Nigeria.
However, the prosecution stated that Ngige failed to comply with this undertaking, prompting his eventual arrest.
“He made an undertaking that he will return the passport on November 19, 2025. The defendant could not obtain an affidavit of loss in the UK but rather chose to come back to Nigeria to obtain an affidavit. What stopped him from obtaining a relevant police report from London?” Tahir said.
The EFCC argued that Ngige’s explanation for the alleged loss of his passport lacked credibility, stressing that any legitimate report of such loss should have been documented in the country where it occurred, not in Nigeria.
“A Gross Breach of Trust”
The Commission maintained that the defendant’s behaviour amounted to a gross breach of administrative bail and warned that extending similar leniency through judicial bail would undermine the integrity of the judicial process.
“What we are saying, my Lord, is that the defendant is in gross breach of the administrative bail granted by the EFCC. Suddenly, he is asking this court to grant him bail in terms and conditions granted by the EFCC. Let us not shoot ourselves in the leg,” Tahir argued.
The prosecution further submitted that Ngige’s actions constituted a violation of Section 162 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, and therefore justified the court’s refusal of his bail application.
“The defendant is in violation of Section 162 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015. He undermines and jeopardises the provision of ACJA. The totality of this case calls for extreme caution. We submit that the court should refuse the application and order for accelerated trial,” the EFCC stated.
Background to the Prosecution
The EFCC is prosecuting Chris Ngige over allegations of abuse of office during his tenure as Minister of Labour and Employment and Supervising Minister of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) between 2015 and 2023.
The anti-graft agency alleges that Ngige used his position to award consultancy, supply, and construction contracts to companies linked to his associates in breach of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
He is also accused of receiving financial benefits totalling ₦2,261,722,535.84 through organisations connected to him while still serving in office.
Ngige has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Justice Hassan has reserved ruling on the bail application until Thursday, December 18, 2025, with the former minister to remain in Kuje Correctional Centre pending the court’s decision.
