A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Gwarinpa, Abuja, on Thursday granted bail to former Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, six days after he was remanded in prison custody over an eight-count corruption charge.
Justice Maryam Hassan adopted the terms of an earlier administrative bail granted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), ordering Ngige to produce a surety who must be a civil servant of at least director level, and also a property owner in the FCT.
The court further directed the former minister to surrender his international passport and seek permission before travelling outside the country.
In her ruling, Justice Hassan dismissed EFCC’s objection to the bail request. She held that the court had the discretion to grant bail and must exercise such powers fairly and reasonably. The case was adjourned to January 28 and 29, 2026, for trial.
Ngige, who served as minister from November 11, 2015, to May 29, 2023, was arraigned on December 12 over allegations of contract fraud totalling more than N2.2 billion. The charges include abuse of office, contract manipulation, and receipt of kickbacks from companies that received contracts from the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF).
The EFCC alleged that the former minister used his position to award contracts to associates through several companies linked to them. The prosecution told the court that consultancy, supply and training contracts worth hundreds of millions of naira were channelled through firms connected to his allies.
It also accused Ngige of receiving funds from contractors through his campaign organisation and scholarship scheme, with payments running into tens of millions of naira.
The EFCC, led by counsel Sylvanus Tahir (SAN), opposed his bail request, arguing that Ngige previously violated administrative bail conditions by failing to return his passport after being allowed to travel for medical reasons.
Defence counsel Patrick Ikwueto (SAN), however, urged the court to grant bail, insisting the allegations were bailable offences and stressing that Ngige’s health required proper care. He described his client as a well-known public figure who would not abscond.
The former minister faces charges under sections 17(a) and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, which attract a minimum of five years’ imprisonment if convicted.
