- Court grants bail to Chris Ngige in alleged ₦2.2bn fraud case
- Judge adopts EFCC administrative bail conditions
- Ngige ordered to submit travel documents to the court
- Trial adjourned to January 2026 for continuation
A Federal High Court sitting in Gwaripa, Abuja, has granted bail to former Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chris Ngige, in the ongoing ₦2.2 billion fraud case filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Justice Maryam Hassan, who delivered the ruling on Thursday, approved Ngige’s bail request and adopted the administrative bail earlier granted to him by the EFCC.
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As part of the bail conditions, the court directed the former minister to present one surety who must be a director on the federal government payroll and must also own property within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The judge further ordered Ngige to submit his international travel documents to the court, stressing that bail remains a discretionary power of the court and must not be imposed with unreasonable or excessive conditions.
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“Judicial discretion must be exercised judiciously and not arbitrarily,” Justice Hassan stated.
In her ruling, the judge dismissed the EFCC’s preliminary objection opposing the bail application, noting that the court was well within its powers to determine the issue of bail.
Justice Hassan subsequently adjourned the case to January 28 and 29, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
Ngige, who served as Minister of Labour from November 2015 to May 2023, was arraigned on December 12 on allegations bordering on abuse of office and contract fraud involving over ₦2.2 billion.
The EFCC alleged that he received kickbacks from companies awarded contracts by the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) and used his position to confer unfair advantage on associates.
The former Anambra State governor pleaded not guilty to all charges. Following his arraignment, the court had earlier ordered his remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the determination of his bail application.
