Alleged N2.2bn fraud: EFCC arraigns ex minister Ngige today

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has finalised plans to  arraign a former Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, today (Friday) over alleged fraud totalling N2,261,722,535.84.

Court officials confirmed that the arraignment is scheduled to take place at the Gwarinpa Division of the Federal Capital Territory High Court.

According to court documents seen by our correspondent, Ngige is facing eight counts 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.

In the first count, the EFCC alleged 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 offence, according to the EFCC, is contrary to and punishable under Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

In the second count, he was accused of awarding eight contracts worth N583,682,686 to Zitacom Nigeria Limited, a company also linked to an associate.

“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,” the second count read.

The 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.