Ex-Labour Minister Chris Ngige faces eight-count corruption charge, to be arraigned Friday

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed an eight-count corruption charge against former Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige.

He is scheduled to be arraigned on Friday at the FCT High Court in Gwarimpa, Abuja.

The charges, filed by EFCC lawyers led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Sylvanus Tahir, allege that Ngige abused his office by awarding contracts to associates and companies linked to him during his tenure, which included supervision of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF).

According to the charge sheet, the EFCC alleges that between 2015 and 2023, Ngige conferred unfair advantages on several companies. These include:

· Cezimo Nigeria Limited, allegedly linked to an associate, which received seven contracts worth over ₦366 million.

· Zitacom Nigeria Limited, also allegedly linked to the same associate, which secured eight contracts valued at nearly ₦584 million.

· Olde English Consolidated Limited, which reportedly benefited from four contracts worth over ₦668 million.

· Other listed companies, Shale Atlantic Intercontinental Services Limited and entities connected to Nwosu Jideofor Chukwunwike, are alleged to have received contracts totaling hundreds of millions of naira.

The offence in Count One is said to contravene the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

This legal action marks a significant escalation in an ongoing EFCC probe into procurement activities during Ngige’s stewardship.

The former Minister, who also served as Governor of Anambra State, is currently in the custody of the EFCC and is expected to enter a plea on Friday.

His detention has sparked widespread reaction on social media and in political circles. While some commentators emphasize the need for transparency and due process, others warn against political bias.

Supporters of Ngige insist on the presumption of innocence until proven guilty.

An EFCC spokesperson confirmed Ngige’s invitation as part of a broader review of financial records linked to public service, stating the commission’s operations are guided by the need to uphold accountability.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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