By Charles Pemu 
Former Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chris Ngige, has been remanded in the Kuje Correctional Centre after pleading not guilty to an eight-count charge of fraud and corruption amounting to over ₦2.26 billion.
The former Minister was arraigned today before Justice Maryam Hassan of the FCT High Court, Gwarimpa, on charges filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The charge sheet, dated October 31, details allegations that Ngige, while serving as the supervising Minister of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) between September 2015 and May 2023, used his position to confer undue advantage on associates through the award of multiple contracts and by corruptly receiving gifts.
The total value of the contracts awarded to companies linked to his associates is specified as ₦2,261,722,535.84.
The key allegations of conferring unfair advantage are linked to the following companies and their associates:
| Company Name | Linked Associate | Contracts Awarded (Total Value) | Contracts |
| Cezimo Nigeria Limited | Ezebinwa Amarachukwu Charles (Associate) | ₦366,470,920.68 | 7 contracts |
| Zitacom Nigeria Limited | Ezebinwa Amarachukwu Charles (Associate) | ₦583,682,686.00 | 8 contracts |
| Jeff & Xris Limited | Nwosu Jideofor Chukwunwike (Associate) | ₦362,043,163.16 | 8 contracts |
| Olde English Consolidated Ltd. | Uzoma Igbonwa (Associate) | ₦668,138,141.00 | 4 contracts |
| Shale Atlantic Intercontinental | Uzoma Igbonwa (Associate) | ₦161,604,625.00 | 4 contracts |
Additionally, the EFCC alleges that Ngige corruptly received gifts through his campaign and scholarship organizations from some of the contractors of the NSITF.
The alleged offences contravene Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, which prohibits a public officer from using their office to confer corrupt or unfair advantages.
Justice Hassan ordered the former Minister to be remanded in the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing of his bail application, which has been scheduled for Monday, December 14.