A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja on Monday adjourned until Dec. 18 its ruling on a bail application filed by former Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, who is facing an eight-count corruption charge brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Justice Maryam Hassan fixed the date after hearing arguments from both the prosecution and the defence.
Pending the ruling, Ngige will remain in custody at the Kuje Correctional Centre.
Ngige, who served as labour minister from Nov. 11, 2015, to May 29, 2023, pleaded not guilty to allegations of contract fraud amounting to more than ₦2.2 billion.
The charges include abuse of office and receiving kickbacks linked to contracts awarded by the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund.
The EFCC alleged that Ngige used his position to grant undue advantage to companies associated with his allies.
Opposing the bail request, EFCC counsel Sylvanus Tahir, SAN, told the court that Ngige had violated the terms of an earlier administrative bail by failing to return his international passport after traveling abroad for medical treatment.
He also argued that the gravity of the offences could attract a minimum sentence of five years if the former minister is convicted.
In response, defence counsel Patrick Ikwueto, SAN, urged the court to grant bail on health grounds, assuring that Ngige would not abscond or interfere with witnesses.
He said the charges were bailable and noted that Ngige had already spent three days in EFCC custody before his arraignment.
“These are not charges of terrorism or treason,” Ikwueto said, adding that the court could impose strict bail conditions if necessary.
The EFCC further alleged that Ngige received financial benefits from the firms through campaign and scholarship channels, actions it said contravened sections 17(a) and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
The court is expected to deliver its ruling on the bail application on Dec. 18.
