Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Abuja, Nigeria — Former Minister of Labour and Productivity and one-time governor of Anambra State, Senator Chris Ngige, is set to appear in court this week to face a series of corruption and contract mismanagement charges filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The development marks a significant escalation in Nigeria’s ongoing anti-graft efforts, with the former federal minister accused of abusing his office to confer unfair financial advantages on associates through the award of government contracts during his tenure.
The EFCC has filed an eight-count charge sheet against Ngige at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Gwarinpa Division, alleging that between September 2015 and May 2023, he used his official position — including oversight of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) while serving as supervising minister — to approve and oversee contracts awarded to companies linked to close associates. These contracts, which the anti-graft agency says total more than ₦2.2 billion, cover consultancy, training, and supply agreements that prosecutors describe as improperly awarded outside standard competitive processes.
Among the companies named in the charge documents are Cezimo Nigeria Limited, Zitacom Nigeria Limited, Jeff & Xris Limited, Olde English Consolidated Limited, and Shale Atlantic Intercontinental Services Limited — all of which the EFCC alleges received lucrative contracts under circumstances that violated provisions of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act (2000). The first count alone concerns seven contracts valued at approximately ₦366.47 million awarded to Cezimo Nigeria Limited, a firm linked to an associate of Ngige, for consultancy, training, and supply services.
In addition to allegations of improper contract awards, the EFCC charge sheet accuses Ngige of receiving monetary gifts from contractors during his ministerial tenure. Authorities allege that he accepted substantial sums through entities such as his campaign organisation and a scholarship scheme, with financial inflows from corporate stakeholders that the commission regards as bribes designed to influence the award process.
Ngige’s upcoming arraignment, scheduled for Friday, 12 December 2025, represents a focal moment in the case, providing the former minister an opportunity to enter a plea before the court. His arrest — which occurred earlier this week at his Abuja residence — has already prompted reactions across political and legal circles, with his team dismissing rumours of any extraneous circumstances surrounding his detention, clarifying that he is in EFCC custody in Abuja pending formal judicial proceedings.
The charges reflect broader concerns about integrity and transparency in public procurement processes across federal agencies. In the affidavit of particulars filed by the EFCC, each count alleges that Ngige conferred unfair advantages upon specific companies by virtue of his position, an act prosecutors say is punishable under Nigeria’s anti-corruption and procurement laws.
Political analysts observe that the case underscores the deepening enforcement drive by Nigerian authorities to hold past and present public officials to account for alleged financial impropriety. In recent years, successive regimes have faced scrutiny over public financial management, with anti-graft agencies increasingly pursuing high-profile cases involving senior government figures. While critics sometimes argue that such prosecutions are politically motivated, enforcement agencies maintain that they are pursuing evidence-based cases intended to reinforce the rule of law and deter the misuse of public funds.
Legal experts note that the forthcoming trial will hinge on the prosecution’s ability to demonstrate beyond reasonable doubt that Ngige’s actions met the legal thresholds for abuse of office, corrupt practices, and unlawful acceptance of benefits under the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act. They say the multi-count charges point to a detailed prosecution strategy involving contract documentation, financial records, and testimonies that the EFCC will present to substantiate its allegations in open court.
Observers also say Ngige’s case could have implications for how public officials engage with procurement oversight entities, particularly agencies like the NSITF, which manage significant government resources and execute development programmes. Ensuring accountability in contract awards — especially in agencies that serve vulnerable populations and administer social insurance schemes — remains a perennial challenge in governance, and high-profile cases like this are likely to generate intense public interest.
Ngige’s legal team has not yet released a detailed public response to the filed charges, but past patterns in similar cases suggest that defendants often seek to challenge the admissibility of evidence or the interpretation of statutory provisions in the early stages of proceedings. Lawyers familiar with the case say that pre-trial motions and requests for court clarifications are likely to feature prominently as the defence prepares to respond formally once the arraignment takes place.
As the countdown to court begins, civil society advocates and anti-corruption watchdogs have welcomed the prosecution’s determination to pursue the case to its judicial phase, calling on the judiciary to handle the matter with impartiality and transparency. They argue that visible accountability — especially in cases involving senior political figures — is essential to strengthening Nigeria’s institutions and restoring public confidence in governance.
The unfolding legal drama surrounding Chris Ngige’s arraignment marks a critical juncture in Nigeria’s long-standing efforts to confront corruption and enforce ethical standards within public office. All eyes will be on the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Gwarinpa as proceedings begin, with implications that may extend beyond the courtroom to the broader discourse on governance reform and institutional integrity.
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