Former Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, don land for serious legal wahala as EFCC carry am go Abuja High Court, Gwarinpa, over alleged N2.2bn contract fraud. The anti-graft agency drag am come court on Friday, where he face eight-count charge wey include abuse of office and receiving gifts from contractors of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) during him time as supervising minister between 2015 and 2023.
As the charges dey read, Ngige maintain say he no guilty. But the prosecution insist say make the court remand am pending trial.
Court Order Ngige Remand for Kuje
After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice Maryam Hassan order say the former minister must stay for Kuje Correctional Centre until Monday, December 14, when the court go hear his bail application properly.
EFCC lawyer, Sylvanus Tahir (SAN), tell the court say since Ngige don enter not-guilty plea, nothing remain than to fix trial date. He add say the defendant suppose go Kuje so that the case fit move without delay.
According to Tahir, “The offences wey he face no be small, and if court find am guilty, e fit spend serious time for prison.”
Defence Team Beg Court for Bail
Ngige’s lawyer, Patrick Ikwueto (SAN), strongly oppose the request to remand his client. He argue say Ngige get health issues and don already spend three days inside EFCC custody since the charge land.
He remind the court say Ngige no be stranger to Nigerians and no get reason to run away.
Ikwueto tell the court:
The defendant na former minister wey everybody know. Bail na fundamental right. He even mention this morning say he need to go hospital. Kuje no get the facility to manage his health.
He also complain say EFCC no give defence enough time to respond to their application before pushing for remand.
EFCC Disagree, Say Offence Serious
The prosecution sharply reply, insisting say the case serious and no suppose dey trivialised. According to EFCC, Ngige even no return his international passport after the court permit am to travel for medical reasons in October, which show say the court suppose handle bail matter with caution.
EFCC emphasise say the contract fraud allegations involve multi-billion naira approvals wey allegedly benefit some companies linked to people close to Ngige while he dey office.
Case Adjourned Till December 14
After listening to both parties, Justice Hassan talk say the bail debate go continue on Monday, December 14, when the court go decide whether to grant am or not. Until then, Ngige go remain inside Kuje prison.
The courtroom matter go resume with full trial after the bail wahala settle.
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