The Federal Capital Territory High Court, located in Gwarimpa, Abuja, has scheduled a ruling on the bail application filed by former Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, for Thursday, December 18. Ngige is facing eight counts of contract fraud amounting to ₦2.2 billion, brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Justice Maryam Hassan adjourned the case after hearing arguments from both sides on Monday. Sylvanus Tahir, SAN, counsel for the EFCC, informed the court that the prosecution had submitted a counter-affidavit opposing the bail request, following the service of the application on Friday. He noted that the adjournment was initially granted to provide the anti-graft agency with sufficient time to study the application and respond accordingly.

Ngige’s lead counsel, Patrick Ikwueto, SAN, argued in support of the bail application, describing it as necessary for medical reasons. He dismissed the EFCC’s assertion that the former minister posed a flight risk, claiming the allegation was unsupported by facts and contradicted by the documentary evidence presented to the court.

Ikwueto explained that although the prosecution alleged that Ngige violated a prior administrative bail by failing to return his international passport after a medical trip abroad, the defense provided documentation showing that the passport was lost in London. He stated that the loss had been formally reported to the UK Home Office, the Nigerian High Commission in London, and the relevant authorities in Abuja, adding that the EFCC had not presented any evidence to dispute these reports.

The defense further argued that it was illogical to label the defendant a flight risk when he currently has no valid travel documents. Ikwueto emphasized that Ngige voluntarily returned to Nigeria after his medical trip and had not applied for a new passport. He urged the court to rely on the documentary evidence rather than what he characterized as speculative claims presented in the prosecution’s affidavit.

After considering arguments from both parties, Justice Hassan reserved judgment on the bail application and adjourned the case to December 18, when the court is expected to decide whether the former minister will be granted bail pending trial.