Court

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court sitting in the Gwarinpa area of Abuja has granted bail to the former Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, who is facing an eight-count corruption charge.

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Justice Maryam Hassan granted Ngige bail on Thursday, December 18, 2025, as the judge adopted the terms of an administrative bail the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) earlier granted to the embattled minister.

The judge, who overruled a preliminary objection the EFCC filed to oppose Ngige’s application for bail, ordered the former minister to produce a surety that must be a civil servant not below the rank of a director.

Justice Hassan said the surety must equally be an owner of a landed property in Abuja, adding that the former minister, who has spent six days in prison custody, must submit his international passport to the court and not travel outside the country without permission.

Why EFCC is prosecuting Ngige

Justice Hassan, thereafter, adjourned the matter till January 28 and 29, 2026, for trial.

Ngige, a former governor of Anambra State, was on December 12 arraigned before the court by the EFCC, following his alleged complicity in contract fraud totalling over N2.2 billion.

The anti-graft agency stated that the offences were punishable under various sections of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

The Star

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