The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has ordered the remand of former Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing of his bail application.
Justice Mariam Hassan issued the order on Friday after Ngige was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on an eight-count charge bordering on corruption and abuse of office.
According to the charge marked FCT/HC/CR/726/2025, the former minister is accused of using his position between 2015 and 2023 to confer improper benefits on Cezimo Nigeria Limited, a company allegedly linked to his associate, Ezebinwa Amarachukwu Charles.
The EFCC alleges that Ngige approved seven contracts for consultancy, training, and supplies through the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) valued at ₦366,470,920.68.
He is also accused of accepting monetary gifts running into several millions of naira through his organisations while in office.
Ngige pleaded not guilty to all counts when the charges were read to him.
However, his bail application could not be heard because it was only served on the prosecution shortly before the court session.
His lead counsel, Patrick Ikweato (SAN), urged the court to release him temporarily on health grounds.
The request was opposed by EFCC counsel Sylvanus Tahir (SAN), who argued that Ngige posed a flight risk and said the prosecution would formally respond to the bail application.
Justice Hassan adjourned proceedings until Monday, December 15, when the court will hear the bail application.
Ngige, a former senator and two-time minister, will remain in the Kuje facility until then.
