A former Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, currently facing corruption-related charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been granted bail by a Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Gwarinpa, Abuja.
In her ruling, the presiding Judge, Justice Maryam Hassan, ordered that Ngige should continue on the administrative bail earlier granted to him by the EFCC.
The court, however, imposed additional conditions, including the provision of a surety who must be a director in the employ of the federal government with landed property and deposit the property documents, along with their travel documents.
According to the Judge, the arrangement is to remain in force pending the conclusion of efforts by Ngige to retrieve his international passport.
Opposing the bail applicationbwhen application came up the prosecution counsel, Sylvanus Tahir, told the court that Ngige failed to submit his passport after returning to the country on November 19.
He argued that this amounted to a breach of the conditions attached to the earlier bail.
In response, Ngige’s counsel, Patrick Ikwueto, informed the court that his client had written to the EFCC explaining that he was robbed in London, during which important items, including his international passport, documents and cash, were stolen.
Recall, the EFCC had earlier granted the former Anambra State Governor administrative bail in October on self-recognisance and one surety, allowing him to travel abroad for medical treatment.
The anti- graft agency had also required him to submit his international passport to the commission upon his return to Nigeria.
Dr Ngige was arraigned on Friday before Justice Hassan on an eight-count charge bordering on misuse of office, contract fraud and receiving gratification.
