Ngige Faces EFCC Arraignment Over N2.14bn Fraud Allegations

Former Anambra State Governor and ex-Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, faces detention by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja following allegations of contract fraud totaling over N2.14 billion. EFCC operatives arrested him at his Asokoro residence on Wednesday, prompting initial online rumours of a kidnapping, which his media aide, Fred Chukwuelobe, quickly debunked in a statement confirming Ngige’s custody with the anti-graft agency. ​

Ngige is scheduled for arraignment on eight counts before a Federal Capital Territory High Court in Gwarimpa, Abuja, related to abuse of office during his tenure as supervising minister of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) from 2015 to 2023. Prosecutors allege he awarded undue contracts to associates, including N366 million to Cezimo Nigeria Limited, N583 million to Zitacom Nigeria Limited, N362 million to Jeff & Xris Limited, and over N829 million combined to Olde English Consolidated Limited and Shale Atlantic Intercontinental Services Limited. These actions reportedly violate Nigeria’s Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act. ​

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The arrest comes two weeks after gunmen attacked Ngige’s convoy on November 26 along Nkpor-Nnobi Road in Anambra’s Idemili North area, killing a woman recording the incident and wounding a police officer, though Ngige was absent. Police recovered a stolen Mercedes-Benz SUV after a chase and gun duel, launching a statewide manhunt for the assailants. No official EFCC statement on the arrest has emerged as of Thursday.