Former Anambra State governor and ex-Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, turned heads on Thursday night with a surprise appearance at the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Caucus meeting held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, just hours after his release from the Kuje custodial facility.
Ngige, who served in the Buhari administration, had been remanded in custody pending investigation into corruption allegations leveled against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He was granted bail earlier on Thursday after meeting the conditions set by the court.
Following his release, Ngige proceeded directly to the State House Conference Centre, where President Bola Tinubu and senior APC officials were meeting. His entry was momentarily delayed at the security checkpoint as clearance was verified, but once inside, he was warmly received by party leaders, aides, and supporters, drawing applause from some attendees.
The former minister’s presence added a notable dimension to discussions focused on party consolidation, internal reforms, and recent political realignments within the APC
Earlier in the day, Justice Maryam Hassan of the Federal Capital Territory High Court admitted Ngige to bail pending trial. The judge adopted the administrative bail previously granted by the EFCC on self-recognition but added conditions.
Under the court order, Ngige’s surety must be a Federal Government director with landed property in Abuja, supported by a Certificate of Occupancy. The original title documents of the property and the surety’s international passport were to be deposited with the court. Justice Hassan emphasized that the alleged offences were bailable and highlighted the constitutional presumption of innocence, warning against bail conditions that could effectively deny bail.
Ngige had been arraigned on December 12 on an eight-count charge related to alleged corrupt practices during his tenure as Minister of Labour. He pleaded not guilty.
During the bail hearing, Ngige’s lawyer, Patrick Ikwueto, requested bail, while EFCC counsel, Sylvanus Tahir, opposed the application, citing a breach of an earlier administrative bail and failure to surrender his travel passport after traveling abroad.
The court has fixed January 28 and 29 for the trial.
