Justice Maryam Hassan of the Federal High Court sitting in Gwaripa, Abuja, today December 18, granted former Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chris Ngige, bail in the ongoing corruption case against him.
In granting Ngige bail, the preside adopted the terms of administrative bail granted to him by the EFCC.
She also added that as part of the bail conditions, the defendant is to produce one surety who is a Director on the federal government payroll, and must have a property in the FCT.
Justice Hassan ordered Ngige submit his travel documents to the court. Justice Hassan noted that bail is at the discretion of the court, and the conditions must not be unreasonable and stringent.
Hassan noted that judicial powers must not be exercised arbitrarily.
The court adjourned till 28th and 29th January 2026 for trial
Ngige, who served as Minister from November 11, 2015, to May 29, 2023, is standing trial for an alleged N2.2 billion contract fraud filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).