EFCC Trial: Witness Reveals Presidential Directives on NSITF Operations in Ngige’s N2.26bn Fraud Case
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday, November 12, 2026, continued its prosecution of former Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, over alleged abuse of office and fraudulent contract awards worth N2.26 billion involving the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF).
At the resumed hearing before Justice M.A. Hassan of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, the Commission’s third prosecution witness, Onwusoro Maduka Iheamelam, testified about directives issued by a presidential investigative panel established to examine the activities of the NSITF during Ngige’s tenure.
Iheamelam, a Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, disclosed during cross-examination by defence counsel, P.I.N. Ikwueto, SAN, that he was a member of the presidential investigative panel set up to investigate the matter.
He told the court that he received a presidential directive to implement decisions taken by the President following the panel’s findings, including directives relating to the procurement processes and other operations of the NSITF during the period under investigation.
The court session also featured a disagreement between the prosecution and defence teams over access to the witness’s previous statements.
Defence counsel requested that the prosecution produce the original copies of the witness’s statements for examination. However, EFCC’s counsel, Sylvanus Tahir, SAN, objected, insisting that the defence should formally apply for Certified True Copies (CTCs) if it required the documents.
Ngige is facing an eight-count charge bordering on alleged abuse of office and fraudulent contract awards amounting to N2,261,722,535.84 during his tenure as Minister of Labour and Employment and his supervision of the NSITF.
The allegations are connected to the award of various contracts under the agency during the period in question.
Following Thursday’s proceedings, Justice Hassan adjourned the case until February 9, 10 and 11, 2027, for continuation of trial.
