ustice Mariam Hassan of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Gwarinpa, has ruled that former Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, should continue on the administrative bail earlier granted to him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The court, however, directed Ngige to provide a surety who must be a director in the employment of the Federal Government and possess landed property. The surety is also required to deposit the title documents of the property and their travel documents with the court, pending the completion of arrangements for the retrieval of Ngige’s passport.
The EFCC had initially granted the former minister bail on self-recognition, with conditions that he submit his travel documents and present one surety. Before the bail decision, Ngige had been remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre.
Ngige, a former governor of Anambra State, is facing an eight-count charge bordering on alleged corrupt practices involving the sum of ₦2.2 billion. The charges, dated October 31 and filed on December 9, were brought by a legal team led by Sylvanus Tahir (SAN).
According to the prosecution, the alleged offences were committed during Ngige’s tenure as Minister of Labour and Employment under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
At his arraignment, Ngige pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
