A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) high court in Gwarimpa, Abuja, has ordered that Chris Ngige, former minister of labour and employment, remains in Kuje Correctional Centre till December 18, pending ruling on his bail application.
Maryam Hassan, the presiding judge, issued the order on Monday, after taking arguments from both the prosecution and defence on Ngige’s bail application.
Patrick Ikwueto, counsel to Ngige, prayed the court to admit his client to bail for several reasons, especially on health grounds.
Ikwueto told the court that the former minister would not jump bail or interfere with witnesses.
However, Sylvanus Tahir, counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), opposed the bail request, insisting that Ngige was a flight risk.
He told the court that the defendant was granted administrative bail by the anti-graft agency and allowed to travel abroad for medical care but never reported back.
He added that the former minister never returned his international passport which was released to him to facilitate the trip abroad.
Tahir told the court that Ngige claimed he lost his passport after his rearrest. He prayed the court to dismiss the bail application.
After the submissions, the judge adjourned till December 18 to deliver a ruling on the bail application.
