SHOCKING N2.2BN SCANDAL: EFCC Nails Ex-Minister Ngige in Massive NSITF Loot Fest!

ABUJA—In a bombshell that has rocked Nigeria’s political circles, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has hauled former Labour Minister Dr. Chris Ngige into court over an alleged N2.2 BILLION fraud orgy at the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF)!

The once-untouchable APC heavyweight and ex-Anambra governor now faces Justice Mariam Hassan at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Gwarinpa, in a blistering eight-count charge (FCT/HC/CR/726/2025). Filed December 9, 2025, by EFCC crack team led by Sylvanus Tahir, SAN, the document paints Ngige as a master puppeteer who, from September 2015 to May 2023 under late President Buhari, weaponized his ministerial perch to shower cronies with juicy contracts—totaling over N2.14 BILLION—in a blatant abuse of power!

Crony Contracts: A River of Public Cash to Ngige’s Inner Circle

Was it favoritism gone wild? EFCC screams YES! Ngige allegedly rigged NSITF deals for consultancy, training, supplies, and construction to his shadowy associates, flouting every rule in the book:

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• Cezimo Nigeria Limited (boss: Ezebinwa Amarachukwu Charles, Ngige’s alleged sidekick): SEVEN contracts gobbling N366,470,920.68!
• Zitacom Nigeria Limited (same Charles at the helm): EIGHT deals worth a whopping N583,682,686!
• Jeff & Xris Limited (MD: Nwosu Jideofor Chukwunwike, another Ngige pal): EIGHT contracts at N362,043,163.16!
• Olde English Consolidated Limited (Uzoma Igbonwa, close associate): FOUR massive awards totaling N668,138,141!
• Shale Atlantic Intercontinental Services Limited (Igbonwa again): FOUR more for N161,604,625!

These shenanigans? Slam-dunk violations of Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices Act, 2000. Public money vanished into thin air—while workers’ insurance fund starved!

Secret Cash Bombs: N120M “Gifts” Funneled Through Sham Outfits

But wait—the plot thickens! Counts 6-8 expose Ngige’s alleged greed in pocketing N119.8 MILLION in “gifts” via his campaign and scholarship fronts, all while signing off on their contracts:

• N38.65M from Cezimo (Zenith Acct: 1011901119) to “Senator (Dr) Chris Nwabueze Ngige Campaign Organisation.”
• N55M+ from Zitacom (Zenith Acct: 1017263219) to “Senator (Dr) Chris Ngige Scholarship Scheme.”
• N26.13M from Jeff & Xris (Zenith Acct: 1011533930) to the same “scholarship” scam!

Corrupt to the core, say prosecutors—breaching Section 17(a), punishable under Section 19(c). Ngige stands alone as the sole defendant in this October 31-dated indictment. Arraignment looms—will he dodge or crumble?

Political Earthquake: Buhari-Era Ghosts Haunt Tinubu’s Anti-Graft War

Ngige, the Labour Ministry kingpin from 2015-2023, oversaw NSITF meant to shield Nigerian workers. Now, this EFCC hammer blow revives Buhari-era ghosts amid Tinubu’s corruption crackdown. PDP foes crow “justice at last!” while APC loyalists whisper “witch-hunt!” Ngige has blasted past probes as “political vendettas”—but can he talk his way out of this N2.2BN inferno? No comment from his camp as deadline hit.

Nigeria watches breathlessly. When does Justice Hassan drop the gavel? Stay tuned—this scandal’s just ignited!