A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to former Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr. Chris Ngige, in the ongoing corruption case brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Bail Conditions Set by the Court
Presiding Judge, Justice Maryam Hassan, sitting at the Federal High Court in Gwarimpa, Abuja, approved Ngige's bail on Thursday, December 18, 2025. The judge adopted the terms of an earlier administrative bail granted to the defendant by the EFCC. She imposed additional conditions, stating that Ngige must provide one surety who is a Director on the federal government's payroll.
Furthermore, the surety is required to own a property within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Justice Hassan also ordered the former minister to submit his international travel passport to the court's registry as part of the bail terms.
Judicial Discretion and Case Adjournment
In her ruling, Justice Hassan emphasized that the power to grant bail rests at the discretion of the court. She noted that such conditions must not be unreasonable or excessively stringent. "Judicial powers must not be exercised arbitrarily," the judge remarked, underscoring the principle of fair judicial process.
The court has scheduled the trial to commence on January 28 and 29, 2026. This sets the stage for a detailed hearing on the allegations against the former minister.
The Core of the EFCC Allegations
Chris Ngige, who served as a minister from November 11, 2015, to May 29, 2023, is facing trial for alleged contract fraud. The EFCC has accused him of involvement in a N2.2 billion contract scam. The specific details of the alleged fraud are expected to be fully laid out when the trial begins in 2026.
This development marks a significant step in a high-profile case that continues to draw public attention to Nigeria's anti-corruption efforts within the upper echelons of government.
