Justice Maryam Hassan of the Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Gwarimpa, Abuja, has scheduled December 18 to deliver a ruling on the bail application filed by a former Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige.
Pending the court’s decision, Ngige will remain in custody at the Kuje Correctional Centre until the date fixed for the ruling on his request for bail.
Justice Hassan gave the directive on Monday after listening to arguments presented by both the defence and the prosecution regarding whether the former governor of Anambra State should be granted bail.
Representing Ngige, Patrick Ikwueto, SAN, urged the court to exercise its discretion in favour of his client, citing several grounds, with particular emphasis on health-related concerns.
The senior advocate argued that the former minister does not pose a flight risk and lacks the capacity to leave the country under the current circumstances.
He further assured the court that Ngige would not abscond or interfere with witnesses if released on bail, maintaining that his client would submit himself to the judicial process.
Opposing the application, counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Sylvanus Tahir, asked the court to reject the bail request, insisting that Ngige could evade trial if granted freedom.
Tahir told the court that the EFCC had earlier granted Ngige administrative bail and permitted him to travel overseas for medical treatment, but that he failed to return to the country or report back to the commission as required.
He also stated that the international passport released to Ngige for the trip abroad had not been returned to the anti-graft agency.
According to the prosecution, it was only after Ngige was rearrested that he claimed his passport had been lost.
Tahir argued that the explanation regarding the missing passport was an afterthought and urged the court not to attach any credibility to it.
Describing the bail application as lacking merit, he asked the court to dismiss it in its entirety.
Following the adoption of submissions from both sides, Justice Hassan adjourned the matter to December 18 for a ruling on the bail application.
Ngige was arraigned last Friday on an eight-count charge bordering on alleged corrupt practices.
He pleaded not guilty to all the charges levelled against him.
What you should know
Chris Ngige, a former governor of Anambra State and ex-Minister of Labour and Employment, is facing trial over alleged corruption-related offences.
While his lawyers are seeking bail on health and procedural grounds, the EFCC maintains that he is a flight risk due to his previous failure to report back after being granted administrative bail.
The court’s decision on December 18 will determine whether Ngige will regain temporary freedom or remain in custody while his trial proceeds.
