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Ex-Minister of Labour Chris Ngige Granted Bail by FCT High Court

Published

1 month ago

December 18, 2025

Former Anambra State Governor, Dr. Chris Ngige

Ex-Minister of Labour Chris Ngige Granted Bail by FCT High Court

Abuja, Nigeria — Six days after being remanded in EFCC custody, former Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, has been granted bail by a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court sitting at Gwarinpa, Abuja. Ngige faces an eight-count corruption charge involving alleged contract fraud totaling over N2.2 billion.

The ruling was delivered on Thursday by Justice Maryam Hassan, who adopted the terms of administrative bail previously granted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Among the bail conditions, Ngige is required to produce a surety who is a civil servant not below the rank of director and also owns landed property in the FCT. The court also ordered him to surrender his international passport and prohibited him from travelling abroad without prior permission.

Justice Hassan overruled a preliminary objection filed by the EFCC, stating that the court had the discretion to grant bail and that such discretion must be exercised judicially and judiciously, without imposing unreasonable conditions. The trial was adjourned to January 28 and 29, 2026.

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Ngige, who served as Minister from November 2015 to May 2023, was arraigned by the EFCC on December 12 for alleged complicity in awarding contracts to firms linked to his associates, in violation of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000. The charges include abuse of office, contract fraud, and allegations that he accepted kickbacks from contractors under the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF).

The EFCC alleged that Ngige approved multiple contracts worth hundreds of millions of naira to companies owned or controlled by his associates, including Cezimo Nigeria Limited, Zitacom Nigeria Limited, Jeff & Xris Limited, Olde English Consolidated Limited, and Shale Atlantic Intercontinental Services Limited. The prosecution also accused him of receiving monetary gifts totaling over N119 million from these firms through his campaign organization and other schemes.

Ngige’s defense counsel, Patrick Ikwueto, SAN, argued that the offenses were bailable and that his client’s health and time spent in custody warranted his release. He also emphasized that the charges did not carry capital punishment, describing them as standard corruption allegations subject to trial.

The EFCC, represented by Sylvanus Tahir, SAN, had opposed bail, citing the weight of the charges and alleged violations of prior administrative bail conditions, including the failure to return his international passport after travelling abroad for medical purposes in October.

Ex-Minister of Labour Chris Ngige Granted Bail by FCT High Court

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EFCC Arraigns Mompha’s Associate Over Alleged ₦206m Fraud

Published

3 hours ago

January 21, 2026

Trends Admin

EFCC Arraigns Mompha’s Associate Over Alleged ₦206m Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Sarumi Samusudeen Babafemi, an associate of social media personality Ismaila Mustapha (Mompha), alongside three corporate entities, over an alleged ₦206 million fraud before the Lagos State Special Offences Court, Ikeja.

Babafemi — Managing Director and CEO of 606 Autos Limited, 606 Music Limited, and Splash Off Entertainment Limited — faces five counts of conspiracy, concealment, and transfer of proceeds of crime, allegedly committed between 2013 and 2018. The EFCC claims the offences involved large sums, including ₦37.6 million and ₦93 million transferred to third parties, with knowledge that the funds were proceeds of unlawful acts.

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When the charges were read, Babafemi pleaded not guilty. His defence lawyer, SAN Kunle Adegoke, filed a bail application, which the court granted, ordering that Babafemi be released to his counsel upon signing an affidavit of undertaking to appear in court. The trial is now scheduled to commence on March 24, 2026.

The EFCC said Babafemi acted in concert with Mompha and other co-accused — Ridwan Momodu Allison (Osama) and Richard Ugbah, who are currently at large — to facilitate the alleged money laundering scheme. This latest prosecution comes as part of broader EFCC efforts to tackle financial crimes and fraud networks linked to high-profile figures in Nigeria.

EFCC Arraigns Mompha’s Associate Over Alleged ₦206m Fraud

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Police U-Turn: Worshippers Abducted in Kaduna, Security Forces Deployed

Published

3 hours ago

January 21, 2026

Trends Admin

Police U-Turn: Worshippers Abducted in Kaduna, Security Forces Deployed

The Nigeria Police Force has officially confirmed that worshippers were abducted during attacks on churches in Kurmin Wali, Kajuru Local Government Area, Kaduna State, after initially denying the reports. The reversal comes as security agencies deploy tactical units to rescue the victims and secure the area.

Eyewitnesses and local sources say armed gunmen stormed multiple churches, including ECWA and Cherubim and Seraphim, during Sunday services, seizing dozens of worshippers. Community leaders report that over 170 people may have been abducted, with some survivors managing to escape.

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The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and other local bodies have condemned the attacks and called for an urgent and thorough rescue operation. Authorities say they are intensifying efforts to locate and safely recover the victims, amid growing national concern over mass kidnappings in northern Nigeria.

The incident highlights ongoing security challenges in Kaduna State and other northern and central regions, where armed gangs and kidnappers frequently target vulnerable communities, often for ransom or political leverage. Families of the abducted worshippers continue to appeal for swift action as the rescue operations proceed.

Police U-Turn: Worshippers Abducted in Kaduna, Security Forces Deployed

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Presidency Accuses IPOB of Spreading False Christian Genocide Claims in Nigeria

Published

3 hours ago

January 21, 2026

Trends Admin

Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser on Policy Communication to President Bola Tinubu

Presidency Accuses IPOB of Spreading False Christian Genocide Claims in Nigeria

The Presidency of Nigeria has accused the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) of deliberately spreading false claims of a Christian genocide, saying the narrative is being amplified to mislead international opinion and influence foreign policy. Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser on Policy Communication to President Bola Tinubu, described the reports as propaganda lacking verification and stressed that they do not reflect the reality of Nigeria’s security situation.

Bwala’s remarks follow widespread reports linking the so-called genocide narrative to statements from IPOB and affiliated actors, which have circulated on social media and attracted attention from international media and some foreign lawmakers. According to the Presidency, these claims oversimplify Nigeria’s complex security challenges, which include terrorism, banditry, and communal violence, rather than targeted religious persecution.

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The controversy has drawn U.S. congressional attention, with some lawmakers reportedly considering diplomatic responses. In response, the Nigerian Government has engaged U.S.-based lobbyists to highlight its efforts in protecting all citizens, regardless of faith, and to correct misleading narratives surrounding violence in the country.

Religious and civic leaders in Nigeria remain divided. While some dismiss the genocide claims as exaggerated and potentially divisive, others acknowledge violence against Christians but caution that framing it as genocide misrepresents the broader security context. Analysts warn that the debate over religious persecution and misinformation has significant implications for national unity, international perception, and Nigeria’s foreign relations.