Ngige is accused of abusing his former office to award multiple contracts to associates and companies linked to him.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed an eight-count charge against former Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chris Ngige.
According to Channels Television’s judiciary correspondent, Shola Soyele, the former minister is expected to be arraigned on Friday at the FCT High Court, Gwarimpa, Abuja.
The charge, dated October 31, 2025, and filed by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Sylvanus Tahir and a team of five lawyers on behalf of the EFCC, alleges that Ngige used his ministerial position to confer undue advantage by awarding multiple contracts to associates and companies believed to be connected to him.
In Count 1, Ngige is accused of awarding seven contracts between September 2015 and May 2023 to Cezimo Nigeria Limited—whose Managing Director, Ezebinwa Amarachukwu Charles, is reportedly his associate—through the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), amounting to ₦366,470,920.68. The act is said to contravene Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
Other companies listed in the charges include:
- Zitacom Nigeria Limited – awarded eight contracts totaling ₦583,682,686.00
- Jeff & Xris Limited – awarded eight contracts totaling ₦362,043,163.16
- Olde English Consolidated Limited – awarded four contracts totaling ₦668,138,141.00
- Shale Atlantic Intercontinental Services Limited – awarded four contracts totaling ₦161,604,625.00
The EFCC alleges that these awards were made to confer unfair advantage and enrich associates, constituting financial crimes under Nigerian law.
The arraignment on Friday will formally bring Ngige before the court to respond to the charges.