EFCC Case: Freshly Freed Ngige Storms APC Caucus Meeting at Presidential Villa
A few hours after regaining his freedom from the Kuje Correctional Centre, former Anambra State Governor and immediate past Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, on Thursday made a surprise appearance at the All Progressives Congress (APC) Caucus meeting held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Ngige, who was recently released on bail, arrived at the State House visibly upbeat and confident, despite his ongoing legal battle with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
His attendance at the high-level party meeting comes barely a week after he was remanded at the Kuje prison over allegations bordering on abuse of office and corruption.
According to Persecondnews, the former minister arrived after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had already taken his seat at the meeting, a development that reportedly led to a brief standoff with security personnel. However, Ngige was eventually cleared to enter the venue and fully participate in the caucus deliberations.
Senator Ngige is currently facing an eight-count charge filed by the EFCC, alleging that he abused his office while supervising the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) to confer undue advantages on companies allegedly linked to his associates, cronies and relatives.
Among the allegations is contract splitting, with the EFCC claiming that Ngige deliberately fragmented contracts to circumvent due process and competitive bidding procedures. The anti-graft agency further alleged that contracts valued at ₦2,261,722,535.84 were awarded at inflated rates to companies purportedly connected to him.
The EFCC also accused the former minister of corrupt gratification, alleging that he received bribes amounting to ₦38.65 million, ₦55 million and ₦26.13 million from firms that secured NSITF contracts during his tenure.
Specific Charges Against Ngige Include:
Count 1: Award of seven NSITF contracts valued at ₦366,470,920.68 to Cezimo Nigeria Limited.
Count 3: Award of eight contracts worth ₦362,043,163.16 to Jeff & Xris Limited.
Count 4: Award of four contracts valued at ₦668,138,141 to Olde English Consolidated Limited.
Count 5: Award of four contracts worth ₦161,604,625 to Shale Atlantic Intercontinental Services Limited.
Ngige has pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
The trial court granted him bail under stringent conditions, including the provision of a surety who must be a director in the federal civil service and possess landed property within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
