The Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Gwarinpa, Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city and seat of the federal government, has ruled that former Nigerian Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, will continue to enjoy the administrative bail earlier granted to him by Nigeria’s leading anti-graft agency.
The decision was delivered on Thursday by Maryam Hassan, a judge of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, while ruling on a formal bail application filed on behalf of the former minister. The application was argued by Ngige’s lead counsel, Patrick Ikwueto, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, which is the highest professional rank for lawyers in the country.
In her ruling, the judge directed Ngige to present a surety who must be a serving director in the employment of the Federal Government of Nigeria. The court further ruled that the proposed surety must be the owner of a landed property and must submit verifiable title documents of that property to the court.
Justice Hassan also ordered that the surety deposit his international travel documents with the court. This measure, according to the ruling, is to remain in force until Ngige completes the process of retrieving his own international passport.
Okay News reports that the former minister had earlier been granted administrative bail by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Nigeria’s primary agency responsible for investigating financial crimes, including corruption and money laundering. That earlier bail was granted on self-recognition, with the condition that Ngige submit his travel documents and provide one surety.
The court’s decision effectively means that while Ngige will remain free pending further legal proceedings, he must now meet more stringent conditions designed to ensure his availability to face trial when required.
The case remains ongoing, and further details are expected as the matter progresses before the court.
