Justice Mariam Hassan of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Gwarinpa, on Wednesday ordered that former Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, continue to enjoy the administrative bail previously granted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The court, however, set fresh conditions for the bail, requiring Ngige to present a surety who is a director in a Federal Government employment and owns landed property. The surety must deposit documents of the property and travel documents with the court pending the retrieval of Ngige’s passport.

Ngige was initially granted bail by the EFCC on self-recognizance, with the commission requiring him to submit travel documents and provide one credible surety.

Justice Hassan had earlier ordered that Ngige be held at Kuje Correctional Centre until December 18, when a ruling on his bail application would be delivered. The order came after hearing arguments from both the defense and prosecution.

Counsel for Ngige, Patrick Ikwueto, SAN, urged the court to grant bail primarily on health grounds, assuring that Ngige would not abscond or interfere with witnesses if admitted to bail.

The EFCC, represented by Sylvanus Tahir, SAN, opposed the bail request, arguing that Ngige posed a flight risk. Tahir noted that the former minister had been granted administrative bail previously and allowed to travel abroad for medical care but failed to report back. He also raised concerns that Ngige had yet to return his passport, claiming it was lost only after his re-arrest.

Justice Hassan, after considering the submissions, adjourned proceedings until December 18 to deliver her ruling, ultimately upholding the administrative bail with the new conditions.

Ngige faces an eight-count charge of alleged N2.2 billion contract fraud and acceptance of gifts from contractors of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) while serving as its supervising minister between September 2015 and May 2023.