Ngige: Witness Tells Court of Presidential Directives on NSITF Contracts

A prosecution witness in the trial of former Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, over alleged N2.26 billion contract fraud, has told the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja that he received presidential directives to implement decisions arising from an investigative panel set up to examine the activities of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund.

The testimony was delivered on Thursday, November 12, 2026, by Onwusoro Maduka Iheamelam, a Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, ValidViewNetwork reports.

THE TESTIMONY

Iheamelam, testifying as the third prosecution witness before Justice M.A. Hassan, said he was a member of the presidential investigative panel established to investigate the activities of the NSITF under the former minister’s supervision.

He told the court that he received a presidential directive to implement decisions taken by the President following the panel’s findings, including those relating to the procurement functions and other activities of the NSITF.

THE CLASH

The proceedings also featured an exchange between the prosecution and defence over access to the witness’s statements.

Ngige’s counsel, P.I.N. Ikwueto, SAN, requested the original copies of the witness’s statements for examination, but prosecution counsel, Sylvanus Tahir, SAN, objected, arguing that the defence should formally apply for Certified True Copies if it wished to obtain the documents.

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THE CHARGE

Ngige is facing an eight-count charge bordering on alleged abuse of office and fraudulent contract awards valued at N2,261,722,535.84 during his tenure as Minister of Labour and Employment and supervision of the NSITF.

The EFCC alleges that the former minister abused his office in connection with the award of contracts by the agency.

Justice Hassan adjourned the case until February 9, 10 and 11, 2027, for continuation of trial.

WHY IT MATTERS

The trial of Chris Ngige is one of the most high-profile corruption cases in Nigeria, involving a former minister who served under two administrations

.The testimony of Iheamelam, a Permanent Secretary, is significant because it links the decisions taken at the NSITF to presidential directives.

If the court accepts his evidence, it could establish that the contracts were awarded with the knowledge and approval of the highest office in the land.

But the case is far from over. The defence has made clear that it will challenge the admissibility of key documents. And the trial has been adjourned for another year.

Ngige’s fate will be decided not in the court of public opinion, but in the courtroom. And the wheels of justice, as always, are turning slowly. ValidViewNetwork reports.