Former Anambra State Governor, Chris Ngige
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday arraigned former Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chris Ngige, on an eight-count charge bordering on alleged corruption involving more than ₦2.2 billion during his tenure in office.
Ngige, also a former governor of Anambra State, arrived at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Gwarinpa around 8:10 a.m., escorted by EFCC operatives ahead of the proceedings before Justice Mariam Hassan.
Filed as FCT/HC/CR/726/2025, the charges—dated October 31 and submitted on December 9—were prepared by a team of EFCC lawyers led by Sylvanus Tahir (SAN). The prosecution alleges that Ngige committed the offences while serving as Minister of Labour under ex-President Muhammadu Buhari.
According to the EFCC, Ngige allegedly wielded his influence as supervising minister of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) to award multiple contracts to four companies linked to his associates.
In the first count, Ngige was accused of using his office between September 2015 and May 2023 to confer an “unfair advantage” on Cezimo Nigeria Limited, owned by his associate Ezebinwa Amarachukwu Charles. The NSITF allegedly awarded the firm seven consultancy, training and supply contracts totaling ₦366,470,920.68.
Count two alleges that Ngige extended similar favour to Zitacom Nigeria Limited, also linked to Ezebinwa, which reportedly received eight NSITF contracts worth ₦583,682,686.00.
A third company, Jeff & Xris Limited, owned by Nwosu Jideofor Chukwunwike, allegedly benefitted from another eight contracts valued at ₦362,043,163.16.
In count four, Ngige is accused of awarding four contracts for consultancy, training and construction—worth ₦668,138,141.00—to Olde English Consolidated Limited, owned by his associate Uzoma Igbonwa.
Another company linked to Igbonwa, Shale Atlantic Intercontinental Services Limited, reportedly received four additional contracts totaling ₦161,604,625.00, forming the basis of count five.
All five counts are said to violate Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
The EFCC further alleges that Ngige received tens of millions of naira in “gifts” from the same contractors while serving as minister.
In count six, he allegedly accepted ₦38,650,000 through the “Senator (Dr) Chris Nwabueze Ngige Campaign Organisation” from Cezimo Nigeria Limited “while performing your official act as Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment.”
Count seven accuses him of receiving ₦55,003,000 through the “Senator (Dr) Chris Ngige Scholarship Scheme” from Zitacom Nigeria Limited, also while serving as minister.
In the eighth count, Ngige is alleged to have accepted ₦26,130,000 through the same scholarship scheme from Jeff & Xris Limited.
These final three counts violate Section 17(a) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, and are punishable under Section 179(c) of the same Act.
The former minister pleaded not guilty to all charges, and proceedings continued as the prosecution prepared to open its case.
