EFCC arraigns Chris Ngige on ₦2.2bn corruption allegations
Former Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, was once on Friday arraigned with the aid of the financial and financial Crimes commission (EFCC) earlier than the high court docket of the Federal Capital Territory sitting in Gwarinpa, Abuja over alleged N2.2bn contract fraud.
The anti-corruption fee, on behalf of the Federal government, arraigned the previous governor of Anambra kingdom, earlier than Justice Maryam Hassan on an 8-be counted fee bordering on contract fraud and receiving bribes.
Justice Hassan ordered that Ngige be remanded on the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the listening to of his bail application fixed for Monday, December 15.
in keeping with the fees preferred against the two-term minister, the EFCC accused him of awarding seven contracts well worth over N366 million “for consultancy, training and supply by means of the Nigeria Social coverage trust Fund (NSITF)” to a business enterprise, Cezimo Nigeria limited, belonging to his partner, Ezebinwa Amarachukwu Charles.
Ngige used to be in addition accused of awarding eight contracts worth over N583 million to Zitacom Nigeria confined, additionally belonging to Charles.
the former governor was additionally accused of the use of his position to provide preferential remedy with the aid of awarding 8 contracts really worth over N362 million to a organization, Jeff & Xris limited, belonging to Nwosu Chukwunwike.
different groups he allegedly provided contracts to encompass Olde English Consolidated restrained and Shale Atlantic Intercontinental offerings restricted, belonging to Uzoma Igbonwa, to the tune of N668 million and N161 million respectively.
these offences, allegedly dedicated by means of Ngige, who served as a minister underneath the administration of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari among 2015 and 2023, are opposite to and punishable beneath phase 19 of the Corrupt Practices and other associated Offences Act, 2000.
Ngige was once also accused of amassing gratifications from NSITF contractors via “his employer, referred to as Senator (Dr Chris Nwabueze Ngige) campaign business enterprise, from Cezimo Nigeria restricted (Zenith financial institution Account quantity 1011901119).”
He was imagined to have collected N38.6 million from Cezimo Nigeria restricted; N55 million from Zitacom Nigeria restrained; and N26 million from Jeff & Xris confined.
according to the EFCC, this is opposite to phase 17(a) of the Corrupt Practices and different associated Offences Act, 2000 and punishable under segment 17(c) of the identical Act.
Ngige, but, pleaded not responsible to all of the fees examine to him in open court.
Following his no longer-guilty plea, the prosecuting recommend, Sylvanus Tahir (SAN), asked for a trial date and urged the court docket to remand the previous governor at the Kuje Custodial Centre.
counsel for Ngige, Patrick Ikwueto (SAN), knowledgeable the court docket that the defence was solely notified of the arraignment on Thursday and could not report his bail application.
even as attempting to make an oral utility for bail on self-popularity, the senior suggest appealed to the court to supply Ngige conditional bail on fitness grounds.
Tahir, but, antagonistic this, arguing that the courtroom couldn’t entertain each a written and an oral utility.
He further claimed that Ngige used to be yet to publish his worldwide passport to the EFCC, which used to be a part of the situations of the executive bail in advance granted to him by means of the fee.
Responding, Ikwueto instructed the court docket that Ngige’s passport was stolen and that the EFCC have been notified through a letter.
Tahir, but, denied being aware about the sort of letter.
After listening to each aspects, Justice Hassan ordered that Ngige be remanded on the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing and determination of his bail utility.
She ultimately adjourned the problem to Monday, December 15, to pay attention the previous governor’s bail utility.
Leave a Reply