The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned former Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chris Ngige, before Justice Mariam Hassan of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Gwarinpa on an eight-count corruption charge.
Ngige, who served under former President Muhammadu Buhari, arrived in court around 8:10 a.m. accompanied by EFCC operatives. He is the sole defendant in the case marked FCT/HC/CR/726/2025.
According to the charge, dated October 31 and filed on December 9 by a legal team led by Sylvanus Tahir (SAN), Ngige is accused of abusing his office while supervising the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) between September 2015 and May 2023.
In the first count, he is alleged to have used his position to grant undue advantage to Cezimo Nigeria Limited—a company linked to his associate, Ezebinwa Amarachukwu Charles—through the award of seven consultancy, training, and supply contracts worth ₦366.47 million.
The second count accuses him of favouring Zitacom Nigeria Limited, also linked to Ezebinwa, by awarding eight NSITF contracts valued at ₦583.68 million.
In another count, Ngige is alleged to have approved eight contracts worth ₦362.04 million for Jeff & Xris Limited, owned by his associate Nwosu Jideofor Chukwunwike.
Count four claims he used his position to benefit Olde English Consolidated Limited—associated with Uzoma Igbonwa—by awarding four contracts totalling ₦668.14 million.
In the fifth count, Ngige is accused of awarding four NSITF contracts worth ₦161.60 million to Shale Atlantic Intercontinental Services Limited, also linked to Igbonwa.
The EFCC says the alleged offences violate Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
