Former procurement director insists contract awards complied with federal regulations as courtroom battle over alleged NSITF contract fraud intensifies
By A1NEWS International / June 25, 2026
ABUJA, Nigeria — The trial of former Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, took a significant turn on Thursday as a prosecution witness told the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Gwarinpa that contracts awarded under the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) complied with established procurement procedures.
The witness, Mr. Orwusoro Maduka, a former Director of Procurement in the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment between 2019 and 2023, made the disclosure while testifying as the third prosecution witness (PW3) in the ongoing Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) prosecution of the former minister.
Ngige is facing an eight-count charge bordering on alleged contract fraud, receipt of gratification from contractors, and abuse of office involving contracts awarded by the NSITF during his tenure as Minister of Labour and Employment.
The former minister has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Witness Says Contractors Met Legal Requirements
During cross-examination by Ngige’s lead counsel, Chief Patrick Ikwueto (SAN), Maduka maintained that the contract award process adhered to federal procurement regulations and due process requirements.
According to him, companies that participated in the bidding process submitted all necessary documentation required by law.
“The contractors had their Corporate Affairs Commission registration, tax clearance certificates, and other statutory documents necessary to qualify for Federal Government contracts,” the witness told the court.
Maduka explained that after technical and financial evaluations were conducted by the Ministerial Tenders Board (MTB), contracts were awarded based on objective criteria.
He stated that Olde English Consolidated Limited emerged successful because it submitted the lowest evaluated financial bid while meeting technical requirements.
The witness added that a similar evaluation process was applied to another contractor, Jeff and Xris Limited.
No Ministerial Interference, Witness Insists
A key aspect of the defence’s cross-examination focused on whether there was any external influence in the procurement process.
Maduka told the court that members of the Ministerial Tenders Board carried out their responsibilities independently and were not subjected to pressure or directives from external parties.
According to him, there was no interference from the minister or any other authority in the assessment and recommendation of bids submitted by contractors.
His testimony appeared to support the defence’s position that the procurement process followed laid-down government procedures.
EFCC Alleges Gratification and Preferential Treatment
The EFCC alleges that Ngige used his position as minister to facilitate contract awards and subsequently received benefits from some contractors linked to the projects.
According to the anti-graft agency, the former minister allegedly received gratification through an organisation identified as the “Dr. Chris Nwabueze Ngige Campaign Organisation.”
Investigators claim the payments originated from contractors associated with NSITF projects, including transactions allegedly traced to Cezimo Nigeria Limited.
The prosecution contends that the arrangements amounted to abuse of office and a violation of public procurement and anti-corruption laws.
Ngige has consistently denied all allegations.
Debate Over Presidential Directive Emerges in Court
Proceedings took another dramatic turn when defence counsel sought to question the witness about an alleged presidential directive transferring procurement responsibilities from the NSITF to the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.
The line of questioning immediately drew objections from the prosecution.
Lead prosecution counsel, Mr. Sylvanus Tahir (SAN), argued that the defence had repeatedly referred to the document throughout the trial without formally tendering it as evidence before the court.
Tahir informed the court that previous witnesses, including the current witness, had denied having knowledge of the purported directive.
He urged the court to compel the defence to produce and tender the document if it intended to rely on it.
Defence Explains Delay in Tendering Document
Responding to the objection, Ikwueto informed the court that efforts had been made to tender the document during earlier proceedings.
According to him, the prosecution had objected because the document had not yet been certified.
The defence counsel explained that certification procedures were still ongoing and assured the court that the necessary steps were being taken to regularise the document.
Following the explanation, the prosecution requested an adjournment to allow both parties access to the document and prepare adequately for further proceedings.
The defence raised no objection to the request.
Court Adjourns Trial to July
After hearing submissions from both parties, Justice Maryam Hassan adjourned the matter until July 2, 2026, for continuation of trial.
Legal observers say the next hearing could prove crucial, particularly if the disputed presidential directive is eventually admitted into evidence.
The document may play a significant role in determining whether procurement authority was properly exercised and whether procedures followed by the ministry complied with existing government directives.
Background to the Case
Ngige, a former Governor of Anambra State, former Senator, and former Minister of Labour and Employment under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, is one of the highest-profile former cabinet members currently facing corruption-related charges.
The case centres on contracts awarded by the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, a federal agency responsible for administering employee compensation and social insurance schemes.
The EFCC alleges that the former minister improperly influenced contract awards and received benefits from contractors connected to the projects.
The defence, however, maintains that all contracts followed due process and that no unlawful conduct occurred.
Thursday’s proceedings provided the court with testimony suggesting that the NSITF contract awards complied with procurement regulations and were based on competitive evaluation processes.
However, with the prosecution maintaining allegations of gratification and abuse of office, and the defence insisting on the legality of the contract awards, the trial remains far from concluded.
As proceedings resume in July, attention will focus on whether the disputed presidential directive will be admitted into evidence and how it may affect the broader allegations against the former minister.
The outcome of the case is expected to have significant implications for public procurement accountability and anti-corruption enforcement within Nigeria’s public sector.
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