A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), sitting in Gwarimpa, on Thursday granted bail to former Minister of Labour, Dr. Chris Ngige.
Ngige is facing prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on an eight-count charge bordering on abuse of office and alleged acceptance of gifts valued at about N2.2 billion.
The anti-graft agency alleged that the former minister received the gifts from contractors of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) while serving as supervising minister between September 2015 and May 2023.
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In her ruling, Justice Mariam Hassan ordered that Ngige be admitted to bail under the same conditions attached to the administrative bail earlier granted him by the EFCC.
The judge directed that the defendant produce a surety not below the rank of a director, who must also own landed property within the jurisdiction of the court.
Justice Hassan further ruled that, having claimed his international passport was misplaced, Ngige’s surety must deposit his own international passport with the court, to be released only after the defendant produces a replacement.
She adjourned the case until January 28 and 29 next year for the commencement of trial.
