Justice Maryam Aliyu Hassan of the Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Gwarimpa, Abuja, has ordered the remand of former Minister of Labour, Dr Chris Ngige, at the Kuje Correctional Centre until December 18.
The court ruled that Ngige would remain in custody pending the determination of his bail application.
Justice Hassan gave the order on Monday after hearing arguments from both the defence and the prosecution on the former Anambra State governor’s request for bail.
Counsel to Ngige, Patrick Ikwueto, SAN, urged the court to grant his client bail, citing health concerns. He assured the court that the former minister would not jump bail or interfere with witnesses if released.
However, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), through its counsel, Sylvanus Tahir, SAN, strongly opposed the application, describing Ngige as a flight risk.
Tahir told the court that Ngige was previously granted administrative bail by the EFCC and allowed to travel abroad for medical treatment but failed to report back to the commission afterward.
He further revealed that the international passport released to Ngige for the overseas trip was never returned, adding that the claim by the former minister that the passport was lost only surfaced after his re-arrest.
According to the EFCC lawyer, the alleged loss of the passport was an afterthought and should not be given any credibility by the court.
After listening to submissions from both parties, 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.
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