Court maintains Ngige’s bail, insists on senior federal official as surety

The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Gwarinpa, Abuja, has upheld the administrative bail earlier granted to former Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), while imposing additional conditions.

Justice Maryam Hassan delivered the ruling on Thursday in response to a bail application filed on Ngige’s behalf and argued by his counsel, Patrick Ikwueto (SAN).

In her ruling, the judge ordered Ngige to provide a surety who must be a serving director in the Federal Government’s employment and possess a landed property. The court directed that the surety deposit the property’s title documents, as well as his travel documents, with the court.

The judge said the arrangement would remain in force pending the retrieval of Ngige’s international passport, which had earlier been submitted to the EFCC.

Ngige was previously granted bail on self-recognition by the EFCC, with a requirement that he submit his travel documents and provide one surety.

By the ruling, the court retained the EFCC’s bail but tightened the conditions to ensure the former minister’s availability throughout the trial.