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JUST IN: Alleged N2.2bn fraud: Chris Ngige remanded in Kuje Prison

An Abuja High Court on Friday remanded a former Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, in Kuje Correctional Centre, pending the determination of his bail application

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday arraigned Ngige over alleged N2.2 billion fraud.

Ngige, a former governor of Anambra , is facing eight counts of fraud and accepting bribes.

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The defendant served as the governor of Anambra under PDP platform from May 29, 2003, to March 17, 2006.

He served as minister under former and late President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration from 2015 to 2023.

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The EFCC arrested on Ngige on Wednesday.

He is being prosecuted for fraud, which he allegedly committed during his tenure as Minister of Labour and Employment.

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The EFCC accused him of awarding seven contracts worth over N366 million “for consultancy, training and supply by the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF)” to a company, Cezimo Nigeria Limited, belonging to his associate, Ezebinwa Charles.

EFCC alleged that Ngige awarded eight contracts worth over N583 million to another company belonging to Mr Charles.

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The EFCC also alleged that the defendant used his position to give preferential treatment, awarding eight contracts worth over N362 million to a company, Jeff & Xris Limited, belonging to Nwosu Chukwunwike.

Other companies he awarded contracts include Olde English Consolidated Limited and Shale Atlantic Intercontinental Services Limited, belonging to Uzoma Igbonwa to the sum of N668 million and N161million respectively.

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According to the EFCC, these offences violate section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

Also, the anti-graft agency accused Ngige of collecting gratifications from contractors of the NSITF through “his organization, called Senator (Dr Chris Nwabueze Ngige Campaign Organization from Cezimo Nigeria Limited (Zenith Bank Account Number 1011901119).”

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The EFCC further alleged that Ngige collected N38.6 million from Cezimo Nigeria Limited, N55 million from Zitacom Nigeria Limited and N26 million from Jeff & Xris Limited.

This according to EFCC contravened section 17(a) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000 and is punishable under section 17(c) of the same Act.

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He however pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

The EFCC’s counsel, Sylvanus Tahir, SAN applied for a trial date and urged the court to remand Ngige at Kuje Custodial Centre.

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However, counsel to Ngige, Patrick Ikwueto, SAN, noted that they were only informed of the arraignment yesterday and could not file for his bail application.

Ikwueto urged the court to give Ngige a conditional bail on health grounds.

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He also attempted to move for an oral bail application for the defendant on self-recognition.
Tahir noted that the court could not be presented with both a written and oral application.

He also noted that Ngige is yet to submit his international passport, which was part of his previous bail conditions.

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Ikweto, however, noted that Ngige’s international passport was stolen, and the EFCC has been informed through a letter.

Tahir denied knowledge about the report.

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Following their submissions, Justice, Maryam Hassan, ordered his remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre.

Justice Hassan the adjourned until Monday for hearing and determination of his bail application.(NAN)

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NPF committed to community policing, says IGP Egbetokun

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NPF committed to community policing, says IGP Egbetokun

The Inspector General of Police (I-GP), Dr Kayode Egbetokun, has assured that the police remained committed to community policing to ensure that criminals were drastically reduced in the country.
The I-GP, who was represented by the Assistant Inspector of Police ( AIG) Zone 17, Dr Ajani Musibau, stated this at the Police Community Relations Committee ( PCRC) National Leadership Training and Conference on Thursday in Akure.
The theme of the conference is: “Inclusivity and Diversity: the New Leadership Paradigm.”
He said that security could not be achieved by only the police, but with the support from the community.
The I-GP stated that security was a joint work and responsibility of all, commending the current leadership of the Nigeria Police for a paradigm shift towards modern policing.
Also, the Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, Mr Adebowale Lawal, said that bandits could not infiltrate the state due to community policing strategy embraced by the command.
He explained that bandits would have infiltrated the state through Kogi and Edo, but intelligence reports from members of PCRC had been a great help to the police command.
According to him, the support and logistics received from the Inspector General of Police, Dr Kayode Egbetokun and Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa had also motivated police personnel to work earnestly.
He said that effective community policing was a sure way to curb activities of criminals, and implored members of the public not to relent in their efforts to provide police and other security agencies with useful information.
Lawal also commended other conventional security agencies, forest guards and vigilantes for their support to the police in fighting bandits
In his remarks, the National Chairman of PCRC, Alhaji Ibrahim Mogaji said that the conference was to strengthen leaders of PCRC in the South-West zone and encourage them to redouble their efforts and support in fighting crimes.
According to Mogaji, the occasion also enabled the association to appreciate Gov. Aiyedatiwa, I-GP, the AIG Zone 17 and the state Commissioner of Police.
He advised the participants to moblise other members of PCRC and orientate them on their roles to continue to fight crime in the country.
The PCRC national chairman asked Nigerians to respect the dignity of police and to be civil when interacting with them.
Mogaji said that the leadership training would be replicated in other geo-political zones of the country.
Also, Aiyedatiwa, represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Security, Mr Gbenga Atiba, commended the PCRC , AIG Zone 17, and the Commissioner of Police for their unrelenting efforts to guarantee peace across the state.
Aiyedatiwa promised that the state government would give PCRC attention and continue to support police and other security agencies with appropriate logistics that would make policing more effective.
A guest lecturer, Comrade Yinka Folarin asked members of the public to give respect and dignity to members of the police, saying that they also had rights that must be respected.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that PCRC honoured Gov. Aiyedatiwa, AIG Zone 17 and the Commissioner of Police with awards. (NAN)

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Increase salary, welfare packages for Police other security personnel – FG told

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Increase salary, welfare packages for Police other security personnel – FG told

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called for improved welfare packages for armed forces personnel and all members of the security and intelligence community to aid their effectiveness and efficiency.

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National Chairman of PDP, Tanimu Turaki, made the call in a statement in Abuja on Thursday to mark the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day.

Turaki also urged the Federal Government to adequately fund security agencies to effectively neutralise those he described as agents of insecurity, and restore peace to the country.

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He expressed PDP’s condolences to the families of members of the armed forces who died in active service while executing their mandate of protecting Nigeria’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

“On a day like this, we acknowledge that they paid the supreme price for the continuous existence of our country.

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“We advise all actors, whether state or non-state, not to engage in actions capable of destabilising the country.

“In honour of those who have died to keep our country safe, we pray that their deaths may not be in vain and their labours not forgotten,” Turaki said.(NAN)

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Rivers Lawmakers fail to resume plenary amid ongoing impeachment proceedings against Gov Fubara

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Rivers Lawmakers fail to resume plenary amid ongoing impeachment proceedings against Gov Fubara

The Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, did not reconvene for plenary on Thursday, a week after adjourning its last session.

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During its first sitting of 2026, held last Thursday, the House had initiated impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, over alleged gross misconduct. The charges reportedly included the demolition of the state assembly complex and unauthorized spending, among other allegations. That session was adjourned to January 15, 2026.

However, as of noon on Thursday, a visit to the assembly—currently holding sittings at its conference hall along Aba Road—showed no indication that the House would resume.

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No official reason has been provided for the delay, and a new date for resumption has not been announced.

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