A Federal Capital Territory High Court has ordered the remand of former Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr. Chris Ngige, in Kuje Correctional Centre. The order, issued by Justice Maryam Aliyu Hassan, will keep the former Anambra State governor in custody until December 18, 2025, when the court will rule on his bail application.
Court Rejects Immediate Bail, Sets Date for Ruling
The ruling followed arguments presented by both the defence and prosecution teams on Monday. Ngige's legal counsel, Patrick Ikwueto, SAN, passionately pleaded for his client's release on bail. He cited several grounds, with a primary focus on the former minister's health condition. Ikwueto assured the court that Ngige would not abscond or tamper with witnesses if granted bail.
However, the prosecution, led by Sylvanus Tahir, SAN for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), mounted a fierce opposition. Tahir painted Ngige as a significant flight risk, presenting a compelling argument to the judge. He revealed that the defendant had previously been granted administrative bail by the EFCC to travel abroad for medical treatment but failed to return or report back to the commission as agreed.
EFCC Alleges Flight Risk and Lost Passport Saga
The prosecution's argument delved deeper into the circumstances of Ngige's earlier travel. Tahir informed Justice Hassan that the international passport released to Ngige to facilitate his medical trip was never returned to the anti-graft agency. He contended that it was only upon the defendant's re-arrest that he claimed to have lost the passport.
"The claims of passport loss were an afterthought and should not be believed by the Court," Tahir argued vehemently. He urged the court to dismiss the bail request, describing it as frivolous in light of the presented evidence suggesting a high likelihood of the defendant fleeing justice.
Background of the Charges and Next Steps
This legal drama stems from an eight-count charge of corrupt practices filed against the former minister by the EFCC just last Friday. The charges are connected to an alleged fraud amounting to N2.2 billion.
After carefully considering the submissions from both sides, Justice Hassan opted not to grant an immediate bail. Instead, she adjourned the case to Wednesday, December 18, for a definitive ruling on the bail application. Until then, Dr. Chris Ngige will remain in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service at the Kuje facility, awaiting his fate on the bail request and subsequently, the main trial for the substantial fraud allegations.
