A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Abuja has granted bail to a former Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, who is standing trial over alleged corruption involving about N2.2 billion. The court granted the bail after Ngige spent seven days in Kuje Correctional Centre.
Justice Maryam Aliyu Hassan, who delivered the ruling on Thursday, admitted the former minister to bail on what she described as liberal terms, pending the conclusion of his trial.
In her ruling, Justice Hassan adopted the administrative bail earlier granted to Ngige by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The judge ordered that the former minister be released on self-recognisance, meaning he would not be required to pay any monetary sum as part of the bail.
However, the court added further conditions to ensure Ngige’s continued appearance during trial. The judge ordered him to produce a surety who must be a director in the service of the Federal Government.
The director is required to own landed property within the Federal Capital Territory and present a valid Certificate of Occupancy. The original copy of the certificate must be deposited with the court.
In addition, the surety must deposit his or her international passport with the registrar of the court.
Justice Hassan ruled that until all the bail conditions are fully met, Ngige would remain in custody at the Kuje Correctional Centre. The judge stressed that the bail conditions must be perfected before the former minister can regain his freedom.
Ngige has been in Kuje Prison since his arraignment by the EFCC on December 12, 2025, following his inability to meet earlier bail requirements.
In granting bail, Justice Hassan noted that the charges against Ngige are bailable offences under Nigerian law. She also emphasized that the Constitution presumes every defendant innocent until proven guilty.
The judge warned courts against imposing excessive or harsh bail conditions, saying such actions could amount to a refusal of bail.
“Bail conditions must not be outlandish or oppressive,” she said, adding that the purpose of bail is to ensure the defendant appears in court and not to punish him before trial.
Ngige’s lawyer, Patrick Ikwueto, SAN, had argued the bail application on December 15, 2025. However, the application was strongly opposed by the EFCC.
EFCC counsel, Sylvanus Tahir, SAN, told the court that Ngige had previously jumped bail after being granted administrative bail by the anti-graft agency. He claimed that the former minister failed to return his travel documents to the EFCC and stopped reporting to the commission as required.
Tahir argued that Ngige could evade trial if granted bail and urged the court to refuse the application.
Despite the objections, the court ruled in favour of granting bail, noting that the issues raised by the prosecution could be addressed through reasonable bail conditions.
Dr Chris Ngige is a former governor of Anambra State and served as Nigeria’s Minister of Labour and Employment from 2015 to 2023 under the late President Muhammadu Buhari.
The EFCC arraigned him on an eight-count charge bordering on corrupt practices, linked to his time as supervising minister of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF).
The charge, marked FCT/HC/CR/726/2025, was dated October 31, 2025, and filed on December 9, 2025. Ngige pleaded not guilty to all counts.
In count one, the EFCC alleged that Ngige used his position between September 2015 and May 2023 to give unfair advantage to Cezimo Nigeria Limited. The company is said to be linked to one of his associates, Ezebinwa Amarachukwu Charles.
He was accused of approving seven contracts for consultancy, training, and supply through the NSITF, valued at N366.4 million.
Count two alleged that Ngige awarded eight contracts worth N583.6 million to Zitacom Nigeria Limited, also linked to the same associate.
In count three, the former minister was accused of awarding eight contracts valued at N362 million to Jeff & Xris Limited, allegedly owned by another associate, Nwosu Jideofor Chukwunwike.
Count four accused Ngige of awarding four contracts worth N668.1 million to Olde English Consolidated Limited, while count five involved four contracts worth N161.6 million awarded to Shale Atlantic Intercontinental Services Limited.
The EFCC claimed that all the companies involved were linked to Ngige’s associates and benefited unfairly from NSITF contracts.
Counts six to eight focused on alleged cash gifts received by Ngige through organisations linked to him.
In count six, he was accused of accepting N38.6 million through an organisation called Senator (Dr) Chris Ngige Campaign Organisation from Cezimo Nigeria Limited.
Count seven alleged that he received N55 million through the Senator (Dr) Chris Ngige Scholarship Scheme from Zitacom Nigeria Limited.
In count eight, Ngige was accused of receiving N26.1 million from Jeff & Xris Limited through the same scholarship scheme.
The EFCC said the payments were made while Ngige was performing his official duties as Minister of Labour.
Justice Hassan has fixed January 28 and 29, 2026, for the commencement of trial. The court is expected to hear witnesses and examine documents related to the alleged offences.
The case is being closely watched, given Ngige’s political profile and the amount involved.
The trial forms part of ongoing efforts by anti-graft agencies to hold former public officials accountable. Legal experts say the outcome will test the strength of Nigeria’s anti-corruption laws and the independence of the judiciary.