Detained Ex-Labour Minister Ngige Gets Bail

Justice Maryam Aliyu Hassan of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has granted bail to a former minister of Labour, Dr Chris Nwabueze Ngige, in liberal conditions.

Ngige is standing trial over alleged N2.2 billion fraud before the court.

The court yesterday adopted the administrative bail earlier granted to the former governor of Anambra State by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as part of the bail conditions, based on his self-recognition.

Justice Hassan, however, ordered Ngige to produce a surety who must be a director in the federal government employment.

The director must have landed property in the FCT with a Certificate of Occupancy and must deposit the original copy of the certificate with the court.

Additionally, the director must deposit his international travel passport with the court registrar.
Pending the perfection of the bail conditions, the former minister will remain at Kuje Prison on remand.

In the ruling, Justice Hassan agreed that the charges against Ngige were bailable offences and that Nigeria’s constitution presumes him innocent until the contrary is established.

The judge also stressed the need for law courts not to impose outlandish, excessive, harsh and stringent bail conditions on defendants, as doing so could amount to refusal of bail in the first instance.

Ngige was arraigned on 12th December before the court by the EFCC on an eight-count charge of corrupt practices.

He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Meanwhile, Justice Hassan has fixed January 28 and 29 for the trial of the former minister.