A High Court in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), located at Gwarimpa, has admitted Dr Chris Ngige, who previously served as Minister of Labour and Employment under former President Muhammadu Buhari, to bail amid his trial for alleged contract fraud and gratification.
On Wednesday, Justice Maryam Hassan granted Ngige bail by adopting the administrative bail conditions previously set by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, which include surrendering his passport to the agency.
The court further added conditions to ensure his attendance at trial.
As part of the bail terms, Ngige must provide one surety who is a director in the Federal Government, owns landed property in the Abuja Municipal area, and holds an international passport.
The judge mandated that the surety deposit both the passport and the Certificate of Occupancy for the property with the court registry.
Justice Hassan also instructed Ngige to surrender his passport once he obtains a new one, in compliance with the bail conditions.
Ngige, who was formerly the governor of Anambra State and held the ministerial position from 2015 to 2023, faces an eight-count charge brought by the EFCC alleging contract fraud and receipt of gratification amounting to approximately ₦2.2 billion.
He was arraigned on December 12 and entered a not guilty plea to all charges when they were read in open court.
After the plea, the court directed that he be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Facility until his bail application was heard and decided.
Following the grant of bail, the court has scheduled the next hearings for January 28 and 29, 2026, to proceed with the trial.
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