The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Gwarinpa, Abuja, has ruled that former Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, can continue on the administrative bail previously granted to him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). However, Justice Maryam Hassan has imposed a stringent new condition for his release.
In a ruling delivered on Thursday, Justice Hassan mandated that Ngige must produce a surety who is a serving Director in the Federal Civil Service. The surety must also own a verifiable landed property within the court’s jurisdiction.
The judge ordered that the title documents of the property, alongside the surety’s international passport, be deposited with the court registry. This condition is to remain in effect until Ngige retrieves his own travel documents, which were previously submitted to the EFCC as part of his bail terms.
The ruling followed a formal bail application argued by Ngige’s lead counsel, Patrick Ikwueto (SAN). The EFCC had initially released the former minister on bail on self-recognition after he surrendered his passport.
Justice Hassan’s decision effectively transitions Ngige’s bail from the EFCC’s administrative custody to the court’s supervisory authority, adding a layer of judicial oversight with the high-level surety requirement.
The case has been adjourned to a later date for further hearing. Details of the specific charges against the former minister are expected to be revealed as proceedings advance.
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