Justice Maryam Aliyu Hassan of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, sitting in Gwarimpa, Abuja, on Monday ordered the remand of former Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, at the Kuje Correctional Centre.
Ngige
The order followed arguments on Ngige’s bail application after he was arraigned on an eight-count charge bordering on alleged corrupt practices.
Ngige’s counsel, Mr Patrick Ikwueto (SAN), urged the court to admit his client to bail, citing health grounds and assuring that the defendant would not abscond or interfere with witnesses.
However, counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Sylvanus Tahir (SAN), opposed the application, describing Ngige as a flight risk.
Tahir told the court that the defendant had previously been granted administrative bail and allowed to travel abroad for medical treatment but failed to report back to the EFCC.
He added that Ngige did not return his international passport, later claiming it was lost.
Justice Hassan, after listening to both parties, adjourned ruling on the bail application to Dec. 18, 2025, and ordered that Ngige be kept in custody until then.
The former governor of Anambra State was arraigned last Friday on allegations of contract fraud and other corrupt practices.
