By Suleiman Anyalewechi.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFFC, has filed an eighth-count charge bordering on alleged contract splitting, abuse of office and corrupt enrichment against the former Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr Chris Ngige .
Dr Ngige who was arrested in Abuja Wednesday night, December 10, will be formally arraigned at the Federal Capital Territory FCT High Court in Gwarimpa Abuja by the anti-graft agency on Friday .
The EFCC is, among other things, accusing Dr Ngige, of abusing his office as Labour Minister by awarding multiple inflated contracts to cronies, relations and associates through firms in which he, allegedly, has vested interests.
According to the charge sheet, Ngige is alleged to have between 2015 and 2023, while supervising the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund NSITF, leveraged his position as Minister of Labour to ” confer an unfair advantage upon Cezimo.Nigeria Limited, a firm alleged to be linked to his associate, one Ezebinma Amarachukwu Charles.
The company is alleged to have been awarded inflated contracts for consultancy services, including training and supplies estimated at the cost of over N366 million.
Similarly, the former Labour Minister is being accused of awarding multiple contacts worth over N 583 million to Zitacom Nigeria Limited, a company also linked to Ezeninwa Amarachukwu Charles.
According to the anti-corruption commission, Ngige, through the NSITF, awarded eight contracts valued at over N362 million to a firm in which he has interest, Jeff & Xris Limited, owned by one Nwosu Jideofor Chumunwike.
Other contracts alleged to have been awarded by Ngige to cronies and associates include over N668 million consultancy services, including training, to one Olde English Consolidated Limited owned by Uzoma Igbonwa and another valued at over N161 million alleged to have also been awarded to same Igbonwa through Shale Atlantic Intercontinental Services Limited .
The EFFC is accusing Dr Ngige of not only awarding the said contracts without recourse to due processes, but also favouring firms in which he is believed to have substantial interests.
The former Minister is expected to file his defence, during his arraignment on Friday December 12, 2025.
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