Chris Ngige, the former minister of labour and productivity, has been charged with eight counts of contract fraud by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
On Friday, December 11, Ngige will be charged in front of a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) high court in Gwarimpa, Abuja.
The commission claimed in the charge dated October 31 that the former minister awarded numerous contracts to colleagues and businesses connected to him, using his position to grant unfair benefit.
According to the EFCC, Ngige granted seven contracts for N366,470,920.68 for consulting, training, and supplies to Cezimo Nigeria Limited between September 2015 and May 2023 when he was the supervising minister of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF).
Ezebinwa Amarachukwu Charles, the managing director of the business, is said to be a friend of the former minister.
The anti-graft agency claims that the crime breaches section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
Other businesses that allegedly profited from contracts authorised under Ngige are also listed on the charge sheet.
Eight contracts totalling N583,682,686 for supply, training, and consulting were reportedly awarded to Zitacom Nigeria Limited, whose managing director (MD) and CEO is Ezebinwa.
Nwosu Jideofor Chukwunwike’s Jeff & Xris Limited is said to have obtained eight contracts worth N362,043,163.16.
Four contracts worth N668,138,141 for consulting, training, and construction were awarded to Olde English Consolidated Limited, under the leadership of Uzoma Igbonwa.
Igbonwa-affiliated Shale Atlantic Intercontinental Services Limited is said to have been awarded four further contracts totalling N161,604,625.
Ngige’s media assistant, Fred Chukwuelobe, refuted reports that the former minister had been abducted earlier on Thursday.
Instead, he affirmed that the EFCC was holding the former governor of Anambra State.
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