The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has brought an eight-count charge against former Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chris Ngige.
Ngige is scheduled to be arraigned on Friday at the FCT High Court in Gwarimpa, Abuja.
In the charge dated October 31 and filed by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Sylvanus Tahir alongside five other lawyers on behalf of the EFCC, the anti-graft agency alleged that Ngige leveraged his ministerial position to confer undue advantages by awarding contracts to associates and companies believed to be linked to him.
In count 1, the EFCC claims that between September 2015 and May 2023, while serving as the supervising Minister of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, NSITF, Ngige granted Cezimo Nigeria Limited, whose MD/CEO and alter ego, Ezebinwa Amarachukwu Charles, is believed to be his associate, seven contracts for consultancy, training, and supply totaling ₦366.4 million. This act is said to contravene section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
Other companies cited in the charges include Zitacom Nigeria Limited, also associated with Ezebinwa Amarachukwu Charles, which allegedly received eight contracts valued at ₦583.6 million for supply, training, and consultancy; and Jeff & Xris Limited, linked to Nwosu Jideofor Chukwunwike, awarded eight contracts worth ₦362 million.
Additionally, Olde English Consolidated Limited, managed by Uzoma Igbonwa, allegedly received four contracts for consultancy, training, and construction valued at ₦668.1 million while Shale Atlantic Intercontinental Services Limited, also linked to Uzoma Igbonwa, is said to have been awarded four contracts totaling ₦161.6 million.
Ngige was arrested on Wednesday, December 10, by the EFCC in Abuja.
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