Former Labour Minister Sen. Chris Ngige has rejected allegations of N2.2 billion fraud while in office, insisting his hands are clean.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had arrested Ngige and later granted him bail by the court after he was remanded in Kuje Prison. Hours after his release, he attended the Caucus meeting of his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), at Aso Villa, Abuja.
In a statement, Ngige thanked friends, family, and colleagues, emphasizing that no fraud was found in the petitions against him.
He highlighted his three decades of public service, including his tenure as a governor, stating, “In all my years of over three decades of public service, including as Governor of a state, I have not been found wanting in the handling of public funds and use of my office.”
Ngige noted that the charges did not allege embezzlement, misappropriation, or theft of public funds.
He questioned how companies could have been given “unfair advantage” in a process over which ministers had no control.
“My hands are clean, and it will be interesting to see where and how these companies were allegedly given ‘unfair advantage’ in a process over which ministers neither participate in nor control,” he said.
Ngige explained that Permanent Secretaries, who serve as Chairmen of Ministerial Tenders Boards, preside over such matters, adding that the five companies mentioned in the petitions were traditional contenders for contracts but often failed bids.
“The five companies mentioned have always competed like all others and, in many instances, failed to win bids. In some cases, as we now know, they were even disqualified for not meeting specific requirements,” he stated
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