By 9jaeye 
Court orders remand after ₦2.2bn fraud arraignment, adjourns bail hearing
A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja has ordered that former Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, be remanded in the Kuje Correctional Centre after he was arraigned on alleged contract fraud charges. The court issued the order on Friday, December 12, 2025, during proceedings before Justice Mariam Hassan.
Arraignment and Court Order
Ngige appeared in court on Friday morning after being arraigned on an eight-count charge of alleged ₦2.2 billion fraud linked to his tenure as supervising minister of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF). After Ngige pleaded not guilty, the EFCC’s counsel requested that the court remand him in custody and set a trial date. Consequently, the judge ordered that Ngige remain in custody at Kuje Correctional Centre until Monday, December 15, 2025, when his bail application will be heard.
Details of Charges and Court Proceedings
The eight-count charge accuses Ngige of using his position to confer unfair advantages on companies linked to his associates by awarding contracts while he supervised the NSITF between 2015 and 2023. During proceedings, his defence counsel highlighted that Ngige had spent three days in EFCC custody prior to arraignment and cited his reported poor health, requesting that the court consider granting bail. However, the EFCC maintained that the allegations are serious and that Ngige posed a flight risk, a point that influenced the court’s remand decision.
Furthermore, the judge emphasized the importance of following legal procedures while handling high-profile cases, noting that ensuring accountability does not compromise an individual’s rights. The court stressed that every accused person deserves due process, regardless of public attention or political profile.
Reactions and Next Steps
Following the remand order, legal analysts and court observers noted the judiciary’s seriousness in handling corruption allegations involving public officials. Ngige’s legal team is expected back in court on Monday, December 15, 2025, to argue for his release pending trial. Meanwhile, the EFCC has pledged to cooperate fully with the court’s directives as the case progresses.
This ruling underscores the judiciary’s commitment to balancing the fight against corruption with respect for individual rights. It also signals to public officeholders that allegations of misconduct will be addressed firmly and transparently by the courts.
For more updates on the situation, visit 9ja Eye News.