The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission will today, Friday, arraign former Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, over alleged fraud amounting to N2,261,722,535.84.
The arraignment is scheduled to take place at the Gwarinpa Division of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, court officials confirmed.
According to court documents obtained by correspondents, Ngige faces eight counts bordering on abuse of office and acceptance of gifts from contractors of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund while serving as its supervising minister from September 2015 to May 2023.
In the first count, the EFCC alleges that Ngige used his ministerial position to confer an unfair advantage on Cezimo Nigeria Limited, a firm linked to an associate, by approving seven NSITF consultancy, training, and supply contracts valued at N366,470,920.68
The offence is said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
In the second count, Ngige is accused of awarding eight contracts worth N583,682,686 to Zitacom Nigeria Limited, also reportedly linked to an associate.
The charges form part of a wider anti-corruption probe into the operations of NSITF during Ngige’s tenure as supervising minister. The arraignment adds to a growing list of high-profile corruption cases pursued by the EFCC in recent months.
