…To Arraign Ngige Today on N2.3bn Fraud Allegation…Revokes Malami’s Bail
…Senior EFCC Source Dismisses Claims of Political Interference
By Yinka Giwa
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is set to arraign former Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, today (Friday) over an alleged N2.3 billion contract fraud said to have occurred during his tenure under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
This comes as the Commission has also revoked the bail earlier granted former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN—prompting intense speculation of political targeting, which a senior EFCC source has now strongly dismissed.
Ngige, a former governor of Anambra State, will be arraigned before an FCT High Court in Gwarimpa on an eight-count charge marked FCT/HC/CR/726/2025. The charges, filed on December 9 and signed by EFCC’s lead counsel Sylvanus Tahir, SAN, allege that Ngige corruptly used his office as Supervising Minister of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) between September 2015 and May 2023 to award contracts to companies linked to his associates.
The Commission alleges that Ngige conferred “unfair advantage” on five companies—Cezimo Nigeria Ltd, Zitacom Nigeria Ltd, Jeff & Xris Ltd, Olde English Consolidated Ltd, and Shale Atlantic Intercontinental Services Ltd—through the award of 31 contracts valued at over ₦2.1 billion cumulatively.
In addition, he is accused of receiving a total of ₦119.7 million in “gifts” from NSITF contractors, paid into accounts belonging to the Chris Ngige Campaign Organisation and the Chris Ngige Scholarship Scheme.
The alleged offences violate Sections 17 and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
Ngige was arrested early Wednesday morning at his Abuja residence in what his media aide, Fred Chukwuelobe, described as a “forceful dawn operation” involving about 20 EFCC operatives.
The aide claimed the former minister, who was reportedly in his pyjamas during the arrest, had not violated his administrative bail and had cooperated fully with investigators. He said Ngige had earlier lost the passport he was required to surrender when he attempted to travel for medical treatment, leading to his return to Nigeria on emergency travel papers.
Chukwuelobe also dismissed speculation that Ngige’s recent meeting with Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi had triggered the arrest, describing such insinuations as “harmful and unfounded.”
Meanwhile, the Commission may have revoked the bail earlier granted former Attorney-General Abubakar Malami, SAN, who is being investigated for alleged money laundering and abuse of office.
Malami’s office alleged on Thursday that the EFCC withdrew the bail not because he violated its terms but because he attended a political gathering in Kebbi State as a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). His media aide, Mohammed Bello Doka, said the Commission had imposed what he called “unconstitutional” restrictions barring Malami from political activities.
“Preventing him from engaging in politics in his home state violates his fundamental rights,” Doka said, insisting that Malami had met all bail conditions and had willingly returned to Abuja on Monday in response to EFCC’s summons.
But a senior EFCC official, speaking last night, firmly rejected allegations of political interference or vendetta.
According to him, “there is no political bias here; Malami simply has too many questions to answer.”
He added:
“Bail is not a shield from accountability. If we detect behaviour that could compromise an ongoing investigation, we act. The Commission follows evidence, and is indifferent to anyone’s political activities.”
As of press time, Malami remained in EFCC custody.
With today’s arraignment of Ngige and the tightening scrutiny on Malami, the Commission appears to be accelerating its investigations into alleged widespread corruption under the Buhari administration, which the current administration has handled with far more subtlety than Buhari’s government handled allegations against the President Goodluck Jonathan administration that it succeeded.
More details are expected following Ngige’s formal appearance in court later today.
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