In a stunning political comeback, former Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, surfaced at the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Caucus meeting on Thursday night, mere hours after walking out of the Kuje custodial facility.
From Detention to the Presidential Villa
Senator Chris Ngige, who previously governed Anambra State and served in President Muhammadu Buhari's cabinet, secured his release on bail earlier on Thursday. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had remanded him pending investigation into corruption allegations. After perfecting his bail conditions, Ngige did not head home. Instead, he drove straight to the State House Conference Centre at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
His arrival at the venue, where President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other top APC leaders were holding strategic talks, caused a momentary delay. Security personnel at the checkpoint had to verify his clearance before allowing him entry. Once inside, his presence electrified the room. Presidential aides, party chieftains, and supporters warmly received him, with some applauding his unexpected return at a crucial time for the ruling party.
Court Grants Bail with Stringent Conditions
Ngige's release and subsequent appearance coincided with the ruling of Justice Maryam Aliyu Hassan of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court. The judge formally admitted him to bail, adopting the administrative bail earlier granted by the EFCC. However, she imposed strict conditions.
The bail terms require a surety who must be a director in the Federal Civil Service and own landed property in Abuja with a valid Certificate of Occupancy. The court will hold the original title documents and the surety's international passport. Justice Hassan emphasized that the alleged offences are bailable and upheld the constitutional presumption of innocence, cautioning against excessive bail terms that effectively deny liberty.
The Road to Trial and Political Implications
The EFCC had arraigned Ngige on December 12 on an eight-count charge related to corrupt practices allegedly committed during his tenure as Minister of Labour. He pleaded not guilty. During the bail hearing, his lawyer, Patrick Ikwueto, SAN, argued for his client's release. The EFCC counsel, Sylvanus Tahir, SAN, objected, accusing Ngige of breaching an earlier administrative bail and failing to surrender his passport after an international trip.
The court has scheduled the trial for January 28 and 29. Ngige's dramatic re-entry into the political scene at the APC caucus meeting, focused on party consolidation and internal reforms, signals his intent to remain a relevant figure within the ruling party's evolving dynamics.
