The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has asked a court in Abuja not to grant bail to former Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige.
Ngige appeared before Justice M.A. Hassan at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Gwarimpa, Abuja. On Monday, December 15, 2025, the EFCC’s lawyer, Sylvanus Tahir (SAN), told the court to be careful about granting him bail.
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The EFCC said Ngige did not return his international passport after he was allowed to travel abroad for medical treatment. According to the prosecutor, Ngige promised to return the passport on November 19, 2025, but failed to do so.
The EFCC questioned why Ngige did not report the loss of the passport to the police in the UK, where it was said to have been lost. Instead, he returned to Nigeria to obtain an affidavit.
The prosecutor argued that Ngige broke the conditions of the administrative bail earlier granted to him by the EFCC. He asked the court to reject the bail request and order a speedy trial.
However, Ngige’s lawyer, Patrick Ikweato (SAN), asked the court to grant bail. He said all reasons for the request were clearly stated in the bail application already submitted to the court.
Justice Hassan adjourned the case to Thursday, December 18, 2025, to give a ruling on the bail application.
Ngige is facing eight charges related to alleged contract fraud and accepting gifts worth over ₦2.26 billion.