Why Ex-Minister Chris Ngige Has Been Remanded In Kuje Prison

Do you know why former Minister of Labour, Mr Chris Ngige is remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre after arraignment before an Abuja High Court, in Gwarinpa?

His remand at had been ordered by Justice Maryam Hassan, pending the hearing of his bail application, fixed for Monday, December 14.

Ngige was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over alleged N2.2bn contract fraud, which allegedly happened between September 2015 and May 2023.

The charges border abuse of office and acceptance of gifts from contractors of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund while he served as its supervising minister

After the plea, EFCC counsel, Sylvanus Tahir (SAN), applied for a trial date and asked the court to remand the defendant.

He said, “In view of the not guilty plea entered by the defendant, we humbly apply for the trial date. We further pray my Lord that the accused person be remanded at the Kuje prison pending the commencement of the full trial.”

Why opposing the EFCC, Chris Ngige’s lead counsel, Patrick Ikwueto (SAN), however, urged the court to grant his client bail on health grounds, adding:

“The defendant has taken his plea, and your lordship is now in full control of this trial.

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“As I mentioned earlier, the defendant has been in the custody of the EFCC for the past three days, during which the charge was served on him. We can see the charge was filed yesterday and assigned to this Court.

“The issue of whether he will be granted bail or not is a right in our Constitution. The defendant is not an unknown person in this country. I don’t think there is anybody in this country who will say they don’t know the defendant. Even from the charge, it was stated that he was a minister of this country.

“I urge your Lordship to grant the defendant bail, and we are ready to grant any requirement your Lordship will put to grant him bail. Even this morning, he mentioned how he needs to go to the hospital. The prosecution is asking for his remand, knowing fully well they don’t have the facility to cater to his health issues at Kuje”,  Ikwueto said

He also challenged the EFCC’s application, saying the defence was not given time to respond.