Abuja was thrown into political and legal spotlight on Friday as former Minister of Labour and Productivity, Senator Chris Ngige, was remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre following his arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Ngige, a former Governor of Anambra State, was docked before the Federal Capital Territory High Court, where the anti-graft agency filed an eight-count charge bordering on an alleged ₦2.2 billion corruption case.
Presiding judge, Justice Mariam Hassan, ordered that the former minister be remanded in custody pending the hearing and determination of his bail application. The court subsequently adjourned proceedings to Monday, December 15, specifically for the bail hearing.
The EFCC told the court that the charges stem from alleged financial improprieties linked to Ngige’s tenure in public office. The former minister, however, pleaded not guilty to all counts when the charges were read to him.
Friday’s development marks a dramatic turn for the long-serving politician, who once held key positions at both state and federal levels, including steering Nigeria’s labour affairs during a critical period of industrial negotiations.
Outside the courtroom, the case sparked widespread reactions across political and civil society circles, with many describing the remand as a significant test of Nigeria’s ongoing anti-corruption drive. Others cautioned that the former minister remains innocent until proven guilty, urging the public to allow the judicial process to run its full course.
As the nation awaits Monday’s bail hearing, all eyes are now on the FCT High Court, where the fate of one of Nigeria’s most recognisable political figures will next be decided.
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