The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed an eight-count charge against former Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chris Ngige.
According to court’s documents, the former minister is scheduled to take his plea on Friday at the FCT High Court in Gwarimpa, Abuja.
The charge, dated October 31 and signed by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Sylvanus Tahir alongside five other counsel representing the EFCC, alleges that Ngige abused his office by awarding multiple contracts to associates and companies linked to him.
In the first count, the EFCC claims that between September 2015 and May 2023, while serving as the supervising minister of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Ngige “used his position to confer an unfair advantage upon Cezimo Nigeria Limited,” a company whose MD/CEO, Ezebinwa Amarachukwu Charles, is described as his associate.
The agency alleged that seven NSITF contracts for consultancy, training, and supply — valued at ₦366,470,920.68 — were awarded to the firm, an offence said to contravene Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
Other companies listed in the charge include Zitacom Nigeria Limited, also linked to Ezebinwa Charles, which reportedly received eight NSITF contracts worth ₦583,682,686.00; and Jeff & Xris Limited, whose MD/CEO, Nwosu Chukwunwike, allegedly secured eight contracts amounting to ₦362,043,163.16.
The EFCC further names Olde English Consolidated Limited, headed by Uzoma Igbonwa, which is said to have been awarded four contracts for consultancy, training, and construction totalling ₦668,138,141.00. Shale Atlantic Intercontinental Services Limited, also linked to Igbonwa, reportedly obtained four additional contracts valued at ₦161,604,625.00.
Ngige had recently made headlines after reports of his detention by the EFCC, an issue his aide insisted was not a case of abduction.
(CHANNELS)
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