A former Acting Managing Director of NSITF tells the FCT High Court, Gwarinpa, how office rentals and procurement issues were handled in the alleged N2.2 billion fraud charge against ex-Labour minister Chris Ngige.
By A1 News International
Abuja, Nigeria
A witness at the FCT High Court, Gwarinpa, has testified in ex-Labour and Employment minister Chris Ngige’s alleged N2.2 billion fraud trial, focusing on Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) transactions. The witness, Kelly Nwagha—an ex-NSITF Acting Managing Director—gave evidence on discounted rentals, directives said to have guided procurement, and documents referenced in the EFCC case.
EFCC Prosecution Over Eight NSITF Contract Counts
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Ngige on eight counts. The charges relate to allegations of receiving gratifications from NSITF contractors and granting associates preferential treatment in awarding NSITF contracts.
According to the prosecution, all eight counts are tied to contracts Ngige awarded during his tenure as Minister of Labour and Employment. Ngige has denied all allegations.
Witness Centres Evidence on Rentals and Procurement Handling
During cross-examination by Patrick Ikwueto (SAN), the second prosecution witness, Kelly Nwagha, testified on procurement matters, including the rent discounts he claimed to have secured for NSITF office facilities.
Ikwueto challenged the legality of renting offices without approval from the Parastatals Tender Board (PTB). He argued that the defence position was that Ngige oversaw procurement arrangements legitimately, citing a presidential directive.
The EFCC had previously relied on a letter from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) in its response to counter the defence position in proceedings held in February.
Rentals, Discounts and Approval Claims
Nwagha told the court that, regarding the rented offices, he obtained approval from the NSITF board chairperson. However, he said he did not secure PTB approval because (as he testified) rental issues were handled administratively, adding that NSITF had been handling rentals in that manner for years.
He further stated that the PTB approval was not pursued because it was not required, according to his position in the trial.
The witness also told the court that he said he saved NSITF money through the rental discounts he secured, stating:
- 50% discount for Abuja offices
- 300% discount for Aba offices
- 20% discount for Asaba offices
When asked about the duration of rent payment, the witness said he could not clearly recall but stated it should be less than two years.
Presidential Directive and BPP Letter Discussed in Court
Ikwueto returned to the issue of presidential directives, questioning whether such directives were issued while Nwagha was acting Managing Director. Nwagha testified that he did not know when the directive was issued, adding that Ngige only showed him a copy and withdrew it.
On the BPP letter, Ikwueto put questions to the witness regarding whether NSITF requested BPP training for procurement staff and whether BPP declined. The witness responded that the matter was reflected in the letter.
During the questioning, prosecution counsel Tahir Sylvannus (SAN) objected, stating that the witness was not on trial and urging the defence to ask only what the witness knew. The judge later reminded the defence to treat Nwagha strictly as a witness.
Dispute Over Existence of a Joint Board Report
Ikwueto also questioned the witness on a Presidential Joint Board report referenced by the BPP in its response to NSITF. The court heard that the report was linked to an audit investigation and governance changes at NSITF, including approval said to have been made in 2020 for a new NSITF Management Board following alleged procurement and financial regulation violations.
Nwagha testified that there was no such report when he was acting Managing Director. When pressed on how BPP could reference a document that allegedly did not exist during that period, he said he did not know.
Tahir Sylvannus objected to the line of questioning and urged the court to rule on admissibility. Ikwueto then produced the document in court but told the court it was not yet certified.
Court Adjourns Sitting to June 24
After arguments on certification and admissibility, the court adjourned proceedings until June 24, to allow the defence time to certify the document.
The testimony is central to how the court may treat NSITF procurement and rental decisions in the EFCC’s case against Ngige. Issues around approvals, documentary support, and the existence/handling of referenced reports can shape what evidence is accepted and how the court weighs alleged procurement irregularities.
![Nigerian military prepares to cordon the area where a man was killed by suspected rebel fighters during an attack around the Polo area of Maiduguri, Nigeria, in 2019 [File: Afolabi Sotunde/Reuters]](https://a1news.com.ng/wp/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Nigeria-military-on-patrol.webp)
Leave a Reply