EFCC has arraigned former Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chris Ngige, before Justice Mariam Hassan of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Gwarinpa over alleged N2.2 billion contract fraud.
He is facing an eight-count charge.
Ngige, a former Governor of Anambra State, arrived at the court premises at about 8:10 am in the company of EFCC officials.
In the charge marked FCT/HC/CR/726/2025, the former minister is listed as the sole defendant.
According to the charge dated October 31 and filed on December 9 by a team of lawyers led by Sylvanus Tahir (SAN), Ngige allegedly committed the offences while serving as Minister of Labour under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Breakdown of the Charges
Count One:
Ngige was alleged to have, between September 2015 and May 2023, while serving as the supervising Minister of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), used his position to confer an unfair advantage on Cezimo Nigeria Limited, whose MD/CEO and alter ego, Ezebinwa Amarachukwu Charles, is described as his associate.
He allegedly awarded seven NSITF contracts for consultancy, training, and supply to the company, totalling ₦366,470,920.68.
Count Two:
The defendant was accused of using his position to confer an unfair advantage on Zitacom Nigeria Limited, also linked to Ezebinwa. Eight NSITF contracts for supply, training, and consultancy, valued at ₦583,682,686.00, were allegedly awarded to the company.
Count Three:
Ngige was accused of using his office to favour Jeff & Xris Limited, whose MD/CEO and alter ego, Nwosu Jideofor Chukwunwike, is his associate. Eight consultancy, training, and supply contracts worth ₦362,043,163.16 were allegedly awarded to the firm.
Count Four:
He was accused of conferring an unfair advantage on Olde English Consolidated Limited, owned by his associate Uzoma Igbonwa. Four NSITF contracts for consultancy, training, and construction, amounting to ₦668,138,141.00, were allegedly awarded to the company.
Count Five:
Ngige was also alleged to have conferred an unfair advantage on Shale Atlantic Intercontinental Services Limited, owned by Uzoma Igbonwa. Four NSITF contracts for consultancy, training, and supply valued at ₦161,604,625.00 were allegedly awarded to the company. These offences are said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
Counts Six to Eight: Alleged Cash Gifts
Ngige was alleged to have corruptly accepted ₦38,650,000 through his organisation, “Senator (Dr) Chris Nwabueze Ngige Campaign Organisation,” from Cezimo Nigeria Limited (Zenith Bank Account Number 1011901119), a contractor with NSITF, while performing his duties as Minister of Labour and Employment.
Count Seven:
He was alleged to have, between September 2015 and May 2023, corruptly accepted ₦55,003,000 through his “Senator (Dr) Chris Ngige Scholarship Scheme” from Zitacom Nigeria Limited (Zenith Bank Account Number 1017263219), also a contractor with NSITF.
Count Eight:
The former minister was further alleged to have accepted ₦26,130,000 through his “Senator (Dr) Chris Ngige Scholarship Scheme” from Jeff & Xris Limited (Zenith Bank Account Number 1011533930), while performing his official duties as Minister of Labour and Employment.
These offences are contrary to Section 17(a) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, and punishable under Section 179(c) of the same Act.
