Witness in Ngige’s N2.26bn NSITF trial says he received a presidential directive to act on the panel’s findings

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday continued the trial 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). The hearing was before Justice M.A. Hassan of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja, according to Peoples Gazette, Vanguard and Chronicle NG.

The EFCC's third prosecution witness, Onwusoro Maduka Iheamelam, a permanent secretary in the Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, told the court about directives that came out of a presidential investigative panel set up to examine the NSITF's activities under Ngige's supervision. The EFCC disclosed the details in a post on X.

Under cross-examination by defence counsel P.I.N. Ikwueto, SAN, the witness said he was a member of the panel. He said he received a presidential directive to implement the president's decisions arising from the panel's findings, including directives on the procurement functions and other activities of the NSITF during the period under investigation. Peoples Gazette reported that he told the court the order came from the president and not from Ngige.

There was also an exchange over documents. The defence asked the prosecution to produce the original copies of the witness's statements for examination. Prosecution counsel Sylvanus Tahir, SAN, objected, arguing that the defence should formally apply for Certified True Copies of the documents if it wanted them.

Ngige faces an eight-count charge filed by the EFCC. The allegations concern contracts valued at N2,261,722,535.84 that were awarded during his time as Minister of Labour and Employment and his supervision of the NSITF. Chronicle NG noted that the allegations have yet to be established in court. Ngige is a defendant, not a convict, and the defence will be heard in full.

Justice Hassan adjourned the case until 9, 10 and 11 February 2027 for continuation of trial.

Trials of former ministers move slowly, with each hearing often adding a single witness. This one now has three prosecution witnesses on record, and the next dates are set for February. The reports do not say how many more witnesses the EFCC plans to call.