THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Friday, arraigned former Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, before an Abuja High Court sitting in Gwarinpa over an alleged N2.2 billion contract fraud.
Justice Maryam Hassan ordered that the former minister and Anambra State government be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre until Monday, December 15, when the bail application will be heard.
Dr Ngige pleaded not guilty to the EFCC’s 8-count charge bordering on abuse of office and reception of gifts from contractors of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund while he was the supervising minister of the agency between September 2015 and May 2023.
After the plea, EFCC counsel, Sylvanus Tahir (SAN), said: “In view of the not guilty plea entered by the defendant, we humbly apply for the trial date. We further pray my Lord that the accused person be remanded at the Kuje prison pending the commencement of the full trial.”
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But defence lead counsel, Patrick Ikwueto (SAN), opposed the EFCC’s submission, saying: “The defendant has taken his plea, and your lordship is now in full control of this trial. As I mentioned earlier, the defendant has been in the custody of the EFCC for the past three days, during which the charge was served on him. We can see the charge was filed yesterday and assigned to this court.”
He said the issue of whether Dr Ngige would be granted bail or not was a right in the 1999 Constitution, stresing that the defendant was not an unknown person in this country. “I don’t think there is anybody in this country who will say they don’t know the defendant. Even from the charge, it was stated that he was a minister of this country,” Mr Ikwueto noted.
“I urge your Lordship to grant the defendant bail, and we are ready to grant any requirement your Lordship will put to grant him bail. Even this morning, he mentioned how he needs to go to the hospital. The prosecution is asking for his remand, knowing fully well they don’t have the facility to cater to his health issues at Kuje,” he added.
He argued that Dr Ngige did not commit terrorism-related offences, so should be granted bail. “It’s not like he ate the ministry’s money or that of NSTIF. The trial will start, and we will see how those contracts were awarded. It’s not a terrorism charge or treason offence,” the senior lawyer said.
The judge, however, ordered that Dr Ngige be remanded in prison while the hearing begins on Monday, December 15.
Earlier report
Economy Post had reported that the Ministry of Labour and Employment under Dr Ngige paid a total of N860.76 million for contracts and services in 2020 without any evidence of execution.
This was disclosed in the 2020 Auditor-General for the Federation’s Annual Reports released in late January 2024 and seen by Economy Post.
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The report, which summarised the non-compliance and internal control weaknesses in Nigeria’s Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in 2020, noted that several other MDAs were also culpable of paying for contracts or services without evidence of execution.
The report noted, however, that the Ministry of Labour and Employment had the highest amount (in value) in terms of MDAs which paid for contracts without evidence of execution, while Satellite Town Development Department had the least amount of N5,255, 000.
Other MDAs that were equally culpable included: Nigeria Customs Service, Supreme Court, University of Uyo, Nigeria Embassy at Sao Tome, and Nigerian Office for Trade Negotiations.
Tinubu’s clampdown on Buhari’s ministers
When Muhammadu Buhari came to power on May 29, 2015, the popular clause was that “a new sheriff is in town.” He decided to prove his loyalists right by going after the usual suspects.
He hauled his predecessor’s National Security Adviser, Mr Sambo Dasuki, to detention over the $2 billion arms deal. He went for former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) spokesman, Mr Olisa Metuh, and to the wife of his predecessor, Ms Patience Jonathan. From late Raymond Dokpesi to former Ekiti State governor, Mr Ayo Fayose, the late president went for the jugular. It is not clear, however, how many of these individuals went to jail.
Like late President Buhari, Mr Tinubu is waging war against perceived Buhari ministers and loyalists whom he believes must answer for their years in service. Analysts say President Tinubu is zeroing in on individuals who never supported him in the 2023 election.
Dr Ngige is known for openly criticising Mr Tinubu. In July 2020, Dr Ngige taunted a House of Representatives member, Mr James Faleke, during a hearing of an ad-hoc committee of the House of Representatives.
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“So you are near my age, at least I am seven years older than you. I’m the same age with your mentor in Lagos, Asiwaju,” Dr Ngige said adjusting his nose mask.
“And I was governor with him (Tinubu) at the same time. He was a senator, I was a senator. I am a two-time minister, he isn’t a two-time minister.”
In what appeared to be a mockery of Mr Nigige’s nullified election as Anambra State governor in 2006, Mr Faleke noted that Mr Tinubu “won all his elections very well.”
Though these individuals have corruption-related cases, some analysts believe they have an axe to grind with the president. They include: former Central Bank of Nigeria governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele; Dr Chris Nigige; former Attorney-General of the Federal, Mr Abubakar Malami (SAN); former Minister of Aviation, Mr Hadi Sirika; former Ministerof Power, Mr Saleh Mamman, and former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Ms Sadiya Umar Farouq.
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