Ngige’s N2.26bn Trial: Presidential Panel Directives Under Scrutiny

​ABUJA — The ongoing corruption trial of former Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, before Justice M.A. Hassan of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court took a significant turn as key testimonies shed light on the inner workings of a high-level presidential investigative panel.

​Ngige is currently facing an eight-count criminal charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The charges border on alleged abuse of office and fraudulent contract awards amounting to N2,261,722,535.84, tied directly to the supervision and procurement activities of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) during his tenure.

​Inside the Presidential Directive

​During the resumed proceedings, the Commission’s third prosecution witness (PW3), Onwusoro Maduka Iheamelam—a serving Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs—mounted the witness box. Under cross-examination by the defence counsel, P.I.N. Ikwueto, SAN, Iheamelam confirmed his role as a member of the presidential investigative committee established to audit and scrutinize the administrative and financial practices of the NSITF under Ngige’s direct ministerial oversight.

​The witness testified that he received an explicit presidential directive to enforce and implement the decisions adopted by the presidency following the panel’s comprehensive findings. These directives specifically addressed systemic anomalies discovered within the NSITF’s procurement architecture, budget implementation, and award of multi-million-naira contracts during the period under review.

​Legal Clash Over Witness Statements

​The courtroom proceedings also played host to a sharp legal disagreement between the prosecution and defence teams concerning procedural transparency and access to evidentiary documents.

​Ikwueto formally requested that the prosecution produce the original copies of the witness’s extra-judicial statements to enable the defence to properly examine them for inconsistencies or corroborations.

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​However, the prosecution counsel, Sylvanus Tahir, SAN, vehemently objected to the oral request. Tahir argued that the defence counsel must follow due legal process by formally applying for Certified True Copies (CTCs) if they intend to inspect or tender the official documents as part of their cross-examination strategy.

​Case History and Next Steps

​The charges against the former minister stem from sweeping allegations that he compromised statutory thresholds and procurement guidelines while overseeing the affairs of the NSITF. The anti-graft agency maintains that the multi-billion-naira transactions violated federal financial regulations and the Public Procurement Act.

​At the conclusion of Thursday’s hearing, Justice M.A. Hassan adjourned the matter to February 9, 10, and 11, 2027, for the continuation of the trial, where more witnesses and documentary evidence are expected to be presented by the prosecution.