The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has announced plans to arraign former Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, today over alleged fraud totaling N2,261,722,535.84.
Court officials confirmed that the arraignment is scheduled at the Gwarinpa Division of the Federal Capital Territory High Court.
According to court documents obtained by our correspondent, Ngige faces eight counts related to abuse of office and accepting gifts from contractors of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) while serving as its supervising minister between September 2015 and May 2023.
In the first count, the EFCC alleged that Ngige used his office to unfairly benefit Cezimo Nigeria Limited, linked to an associate, by approving seven NSITF consultancy, training, and supply contracts worth N366,470,920.68. This conduct, the EFCC says, violates Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
The second count accuses Ngige of awarding eight contracts worth N583,682,686 to Zitacom Nigeria Limited, another company connected to an associate. The charge states:
“Between September 2015 and May 2023 in Abuja, as the supervising Minister of the NSITF, you used your position to confer an unfair advantage upon Zitacom Nigeria Limited, a company whose MD/CEO and alter ego, Ezebinwa Amarachukwu Charles, is your associate, by awarding eight contracts for supply, training, and consultancy, to the tune of N583,682,686, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.”
The EFCC also claims that eight contracts valued at N362,043,163.16 were awarded to Jeff & Xris Limited, led by Nwosu Chukwunwike, another associate of Ngige.
In the fourth count, Ngige is accused of awarding four contracts worth N668,138,141 to Olde English Consolidated Limited, controlled by Uzoma Igbonwa, an associate.
Counts five through eight allege that Ngige provided additional contracts, including four contracts worth N161,604,625 to Shale Atlantic Intercontinental Services Limited, and corruptly received monetary gifts from NSITF contractors between May and June 2022. The EFCC claims he received N38,650,000 from Cezimo Nigeria Limited via his campaign organisation, N55,003,000 from Zitacom Nigeria Limited through his scholarship scheme, and N26,130,000 from Jeff & Xris Limited.
The offences reportedly breach Sections 17(a) and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000. Ngige is expected to enter his plea when the case is called today.
