The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has continued the trial of former Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, over alleged abuse of office and fraudulent contract awards worth ₦2.26 billion involving the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF).
At the resumed hearing before Justice M.A. Hassan of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, on Thursday, 12 November 2026, the prosecution’s third witness, Onwusoro Maduka Iheamelam, testified on directives issued by a presidential investigative panel established to examine the activities of the NSITF during Ngige’s tenure as minister.
During cross-examination by defence counsel, P.I.N. Ikwueto, SAN, Iheamelam, a Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, confirmed that he was a member of the presidential investigative panel constituted to investigate the matter.
The witness told the court that he received a presidential directive to implement decisions arising from the panel’s findings, including directives relating to the procurement processes and other activities of the NSITF during the period under investigation.
The proceedings also featured a disagreement between the prosecution and defence over access to the witness’s statements.
Defence counsel requested that the prosecution produce the original copies of the witness’s statements for examination.
However, prosecution counsel, Sylvanus Tahir, SAN, opposed the request, arguing that the defence should formally apply for Certified True Copies (CTCs) of the documents if it intended to obtain them.
Ngige is facing an eight-count charge bordering on alleged abuse of office and fraudulent contract awards valued at ₦2,261,722,535.84 during his tenure as Minister of Labour and Employment and his supervision of the NSITF.
The EFCC alleges that the former minister was involved in irregularities surrounding the award of contracts under the agency.
Ngige is yet to be convicted of the allegations.
Justice Hassan adjourned the case until February 9, 10 and 11, 2027, for continuation of trial.
