The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned former Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr. Chris Ngige, before Justice Mariam Hassan of the FCT High Court, Gwarinpa, on an eight count corruption charge.
Ngige, a former governor of Anambra State, arrived in court around 8:10 a.m. accompanied by EFCC operatives. The charge, marked FCT/HC/CR/726/2025, was filed on December 9 by a team of prosecutors led by Sylvanus Tahir (SAN).
According to the EFCC, the alleged offences were committed during Ngige’s tenure as supervising minister of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) between September 2015 and May 2023.
Alleged Contract Fraud
The commission accuses Ngige of abusing his office by awarding contracts worth over ₦2 billion to companies linked to his associates:
Cezimo Nigeria Ltd – ₦366.4mZitacom Nigeria Ltd – ₦583.6m
Jeff & Xris Ltd – ₦362m
Olde English Consolidated Ltd – ₦668.1m
Shale Atlantic Intercontinental Services Ltd – ₦161.6m
The contracts involved consultancy, training, supply, and construction services.
Alleged Cash Gifts Ngige is also accused of receiving cash gifts totalling over ₦119 million through his political and scholarship organisations while serving as minister:
₦38.6m from Cezimo Nigeria Ltd
₦55m from Zitacom Nigeria Ltd
₦26.1m from Jeff & Xris Ltd
These offences violate Sections 17 and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
Ngige is the sole defendant in the case, and the court proceedings are expected to continue in the coming days.
