The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has instituted an eight-count charge against the former Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chris Ngige.
Reports indicate that the former governor of Anambra State is scheduled to be arraigned on Friday at the FCT High Court in Gwarimpa, Abuja.
According to the charge dated 31 October and submitted by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Sylvanus Tahir alongside five other lawyers on behalf of the EFCC, the anti-corruption agency alleged that Ngige exploited his position as minister to grant improper advantages by awarding several contracts to his associates and to companies believed to belong to him.
In Count 1, the former minister, between September 2015 and May 2023, while serving as the supervising Minister of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), was accused of using his office to provide an unfair benefit to Cezimo Nigeria Limited, a company whose MD/CEO and alter ego, Ezebinwa Amarachukwu Charles, is thought to be his associate.
He was alleged to have approved seven separate contracts for consultancy, training, and supplies through the NSITF to the company, amounting to N366,470,920.68, which constitutes an offence under Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
Other companies listed in the charge include Zitacom Nigeria Limited, whose MD/CEO and alter ego, Ezebinwa Amarachukwu Charles, was awarded eight contracts for supply, training, and consultancy, totalling N583,682,686.00; and Jeff & Xris Limited, whose MD/CEO and alter ego, Nwosu Jideofor Chukwunwike, was given eight contracts valued at N362,043,163.16.
Also mentioned is Olde English Consolidated Limited, whose MD/CEO, Uzoma Igbonwa, received four contracts for consultancy, training, and construction through the NSITF amounting to N668,138,141.00; as well as Shale Atlantic Intercontinental Services Limited, a company whose MD/CEO and alter ego, Uzoma Igbonwa, was awarded four contracts totalling N161,604,625.00.
It is recalled that Ngige was arrested in Abuja on Wednesday night and has remained in EFCC custody since then.
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