The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday opposed the bail application of a former Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, following his arraignment before Justice M. A. Hassan of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Gwarimpa, Abuja.

Ngige is standing trial on an eight-count charge bordering on alleged contract fraud and acceptance of gifts amounting to ₦2.26 billion.

Arguing against the application, prosecution counsel Sylvanus Tahir, SAN, urged the court to exercise extreme caution, alleging that the defendant violated the terms of the administrative bail earlier granted to him by the EFCC.

Tahir told the court that Ngige failed to return his international passport after being permitted by the commission to travel abroad on medical grounds. He said the former minister had undertaken to return the passport on November 19, 2025, but failed to do so until he was later arrested by the EFCC.

The prosecution further questioned Ngige’s explanation that the passport was lost in the United Kingdom, arguing that the defendant ought to have obtained a police report or sworn an affidavit of loss in the UK, rather than returning to Nigeria to do so.

“What stopped the defendant from obtaining a police report or deposing an affidavit of loss in London? What does the Nigerian police know about a passport allegedly lost in the UK?” Tahir asked.

He submitted that the defendant was in gross breach of the administrative bail, adding that granting him bail under similar terms would undermine the provisions of Section 162 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015.

“The totality of this case calls for extreme caution. We urge the court to refuse the bail application and order an accelerated trial,” the prosecution said.

In response, defence counsel Patrick Ikweato, SAN, urged the court to grant Ngige bail, relying on the written application and processes already before the court.

“I respectfully urge my lord to admit the defendant to bail. All the grounds have been clearly stated in our application, and we rely on the processes filed,” Ikweato said.

Justice Hassan subsequently adjourned the matter to Thursday, December 18, 2025, for ruling on the bail application.