Chris Ngige Joins APC Caucus Meeting Just Hours After Securing Bail

According to reports, former Minister of Labour, Chris Ngige, attended the All Progressives Congress (APC) caucus meeting on Thursday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, just hours after being granted bail. Videos circulating online captured Ngige arriving at the venue amid heightened public attention.

The bail was granted by Justice Maryam Hassan of the Federal High Court in Gwaripa, Abuja, in connection with an ongoing ₦2.2 billion contract fraud case. The judge adopted the terms of administrative bail previously granted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), requiring Ngige to provide one surety who is a federal government director with property in the Federal Capital Territory. Ngige was also ordered to submit his travel documents to the court.

Justice Hassan emphasized that bail conditions must be reasonable and not unduly restrictive, stating that judicial powers should not be exercised arbitrarily. The trial has been adjourned to January 28 and 29, 2026.

Ngige, who served as Minister from November 2015 to May 2023, was arraigned last Friday on an eight-count charge related to alleged abuse of office and contract fraud while overseeing the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF). He pleaded not guilty and was initially remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre pending the court’s decision on his bail application.

The allegations against Ngige include accepting kickbacks from firms awarded NSITF contracts and using his office to provide unfair advantages to associates in contract awards. The offences are punishable under the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

The EFCC opposed the bail application through its legal team led by Sylvanus Tahir, SAN, urging the court to reject it.