The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned the former Governor of Anambra State, Chris Ngige, on charges of alleged contract fraud.
In the charge dated October 31, the commission alleged that Ngige used his position to confer undue advantage by awarding multiple contracts to associates and companies linked to him.
The former minister of labour and productivity was arraigned on an eight-count charge before a Federal Capital Territory high court in Gwarimpa on Friday.
Upon arraignment however, Ngige pleaded not guilty to all the counts.
According to court documents, Ngige is facing an eight-count charge bordering on abuse of office and corruptly receiving monetary gifts from contractors of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), an agency he supervised between September 2015 and May 2023.
Counts one to five detail how Ngige allegedly used his position to confer undue advantages on companies linked to his associates through the award of multiple contracts. The total value of these contracts exceeds ₦2.1 billion.
In the first count, the EFCC alleged that Ngige used his position to confer an unfair advantage on Cezimo Nigeria Limited, linked to an associate, by approving seven NSITF consultancy, training and supply contracts worth N366,470,920.68.
The offence, according to the EFCC, is contrary to and punishable under Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
In the second count, he was accused of awarding eight contracts worth ₦583,682,686 to Zitacom Nigeria Limited, a company also linked to an associate.
