EFCC to Arraign Ex-Anambra Governor Ngige in Court Today Over Alleged N2.2bn Bribe
By: Olufemi Orunsola
Barely days after his arrest in Abuja, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission will today (Friday) arraign former Anambra State governor and ex-Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, in Abuja, over N2,261,722,535.84 alleged bribery.
OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports as gathered that Ngige is scheduled to be arraigned before the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Gwarinpa Division.
The former Minister will be facing an eight-count charge bordering on abuse of office and acceptance of gifts from contractors of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund while serving as its supervising minister between September 2015 and May 2023.
EFCC alleged in the first count that Ngige used his position to confer an unfair advantage on Cezimo Nigeria Limited, linked to an associate, by approving seven NSITF consultancy, training and supply contracts worth N366,470,920.68.
The anti-graft agency said the offence is contrary to and punishable under Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
The former Anambra governor is accused in the second count of awarding eight contracts worth N583,682,686 to Zitacom Nigeria Limited, a company also linked to one of his associates.
The second count reads, “Between September 2015 to May 2023 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court and being the supervising Minister of the NSITF, you used your said position to confer an unfair advantage upon Zitacom Nigeria Limited, a company whose MD/CEO and alter ego, Ezebinwa Amarachukwu Charles is your associate, by the award of eight different contracts for supply, training and consultancy, with the NSITF, to the said company to the tune of N583,682,686.00 and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.”
EFCC also alleged that eight NSITF contracts valued at N362,043,163.16 were awarded to Jeff & Xris Limited, a company whose MD/CEO and alter ego, Nwosu Chukwunwike, is the ex-minister’s associate.
In the fourth count, Ngige is being accused of influencing four contracts worth N668,138,141 in favour of Olde English Consolidated Limited.
The anti-graft agency alleged that, “You, Chris Ngige, whilst being the Minister of Labour and Employment of the Federal Republic of Nigeria between September 2015 to May 2023 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court and being the supervising Minister of the NSITF, used your said position to confer an unfair advantage upon Olde English Consolidated Limited, a company whose MD/CEO and alter ego, Uzoma Igbonwa is your associate, by the award of four different contracts for consultancy, training and construction by the NSITF to the said company to the tune of N668,138,141.00 and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.”
Ngige is also alleged in the fifth count to have given four contracts worth N161,604,625 to Shale Atlantic Intercontinental Services Limited, owned by his associate, Uzoma Igbonwa.
Also, in counts six to eight, the former minister is accused of corruptly receiving monetary gifts from NSITF contractors between May and June 2022.
According to the EFCC, Ngige allegedly received N38,650,000 through his campaign organisation from Cezimo Nigeria Limited, N55,003,000 through his scholarship scheme from Zitacom Nigeria Limited, and N26,130,000 from Jeff & Xris Limited.
EFCC stated that the offences violate Sections 17(a) and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
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