Former Labour Ministry Procurement Director Testifies in N2.2 Billion Contract Fraud Case Against Ex-Minister Chris Ngige
By A1NEWS International
ABUJA, Nigeria – June 24, 2026
The ongoing trial of former Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, took a dramatic turn on Wednesday as a key prosecution witness told the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Gwarinpa that he never physically saw the presidential directive allegedly relied upon to transfer procurement oversight of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) to the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
The testimony has introduced a significant dimension to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) prosecution of the former minister, who is facing allegations of abuse of office, preferential treatment in contract awards, and receiving gratifications linked to NSITF contracts valued at approximately N2.2 billion.
Ngige, a former governor of Anambra State and former senator, has consistently denied all allegations brought against him.
Witness Questions Foundation of Procurement Oversight Arrangement
The EFCC’s third prosecution witness (PW3), Orwusoro Maduka, who served as Director of Procurement in the Ministry of Labour and Employment between 2019 and 2023, testified before Justice Maryam Hassan during Wednesday’s proceedings.
Led in evidence by EFCC counsel, Sylvanus Tahir (SAN), Maduka disclosed that while he was aware of a purported presidential directive referenced by the former minister, he never personally sighted the document authorizing the arrangement.
According to him, the directive was repeatedly referenced in official correspondences issued by Ngige.
“There was a presidential order as directed by the minister that the president approved following resolutions of the panel. One of such resolutions was that the procurement function of the NSITF be sent to the ministry for proper oversight,” the witness told the court.
However, when asked whether he had ever seen the instrument conveying the presidential approval, Maduka responded:
“No, I never saw the directive physically, although there were correspondences signed by the minister alluding to the directive.”
The revelation could become a focal point as the court examines whether the ministry’s intervention in NSITF procurement activities was properly authorized.
EFCC Alleges Abuse of Procurement Process
The anti-graft agency alleges that Ngige used his position as Labour Minister during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari to influence the award of contracts within the NSITF.
According to the eight-count charge, the former minister allegedly facilitated the award of contracts to favored companies and received financial gratifications through an organization identified as the Dr. Chris Nwabueze Ngige Campaign Organisation.
Prosecutors further allege that payments linked to some of the contracts were traced to contractors, including transactions involving Cezimo Nigeria Limited through a designated bank account.
The EFCC contends that the alleged scheme violated procurement regulations and resulted in preferential treatment in the award of contracts worth billions of naira.
Ngige has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Procurement Functions Moved from NSITF to Ministry
During his testimony, Maduka explained that the purported presidential directive formed the basis for transferring procurement responsibilities from the NSITF to the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
He told the court that the former minister subsequently established a Parastatal Tender Board (PTB) to oversee procurement activities.
According to him, members of the committee were appointed by the ministry, while his deputy, identified as Joyce, served as secretary to the board.
The witness further stated that the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) was aware of the arrangement and the operational structure adopted for contract approvals.
Contract Documents Tendered as Evidence
As proceedings continued, the EFCC tendered several documents, including:
- Letters awarding various contracts;
- Minutes of meetings of the Ministerial Tender Board (MTB);
- Minutes of meetings of the Parastatal Tender Board (PTB);
- Correspondence relating to the cessation of procurement activities by NSITF;
- Other procurement-related records linked to the contracts under investigation.
Defence counsel, Patrick Ikwueto (SAN), did not object to the admissibility of the documents.
Justice Hassan subsequently admitted the documents into evidence and marked them as exhibits.
Witness Says Contracts Were Within Approved Thresholds
In a development that may be significant to the defence, Maduka testified that many of the contracts highlighted by the prosecution appeared to fall within the procurement approval limits of the Parastatal Tender Board.
The witness reviewed several contract award letters before the court, including consultancy and stakeholder engagement contracts awarded to companies such as:
- Shell Atlantic;
- Jeff and Chris Limited;
- Zitacom Limited;
- Cezimo Nigeria Limited;
- Old English Consolidated Limited.
The contracts ranged between approximately N40 million and N49 million.
When asked whether the contract values exceeded the authority of the PTB, the witness replied:
“All the contracts are mainly within the PTB threshold zones.”
The testimony could become a key issue as the court evaluates whether established procurement procedures were followed during the contract approval process.
Legal Battle Over NSITF Contracts Continues
The case remains one of the most closely watched corruption trials involving a former cabinet member of the Buhari administration.
Legal analysts note that the prosecution must establish not only the existence of alleged gratifications but also demonstrate a direct connection between the former minister’s actions and any unlawful procurement decisions.
The defence, meanwhile, is expected to challenge the prosecution’s interpretation of procurement procedures and the legal basis for linking the former minister to the alleged financial benefits.
Wednesday’s proceedings highlighted emerging questions surrounding the documentary basis for procurement oversight arrangements implemented during Ngige’s tenure as Labour Minister.
While the EFCC maintains that the former minister manipulated procurement processes and benefited from contract awards, testimony from its own witness introduced fresh scrutiny regarding the presidential directive cited as the foundation for the ministry’s involvement in NSITF procurement activities.
With critical documentary evidence now before the court, attention will shift to whether prosecutors can establish the alleged chain of authority and financial impropriety at the heart of the N2.2 billion case.
Justice Maryam Hassan adjourned proceedings until Thursday for continuation of trial.
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