Amanze Chinonye
The prosecution in the alleged N2.26 billion fraud trial of former Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, on Wednesday advanced its case with witnesses testifying that the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment assumed the procurement functions of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), a development central to the allegations of abuse of office and irregular contract awards against the former minister, Prime Business Africa reports.
Ngige is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before Justice M.A. Hassan of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Gwarinpa, Abuja, on an eight-count charge bordering on abuse of office and the alleged fraudulent award of contracts valued at N2,261,722,535.84.
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At the resumed hearing, the second prosecution witness (PW2), Ken Nwagha, a former Acting Managing Director of NSITF, told the court under cross-examination by defence counsel, P.I.N. Ikwueto (SAN), that Ngige informed him verbally that there was a presidential directive authorising the transfer of the agency’s procurement functions to the ministry.
Nwagha stated that while he was informed of the directive, it was communicated to him orally and not through any document made available to him at the time.
The testimony was reinforced by the third prosecution witness (PW3), Onwusoro Maduka Iheamelam, a Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, who provided further details on how the transfer of procurement responsibilities was implemented.
Led in evidence by prosecuting counsel, Sylvanus Tahir (SAN), Iheamelam told the court that in 2022, Ngige wrote to the Permanent Secretary conveying the decision that the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment would absorb the procurement functions of NSITF.
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According to him, as the then Director of Procurement at NSITF, he subsequently communicated the directive to the agency’s Managing Director on behalf of the Permanent Secretary.
Iheamelam, who also served as Director of Procurement in the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment and was a member of the Ministry’s Ministerial Tenders Board (MTB) between 2019 and 2023, explained the procurement approval processes applicable to government agencies and ministries.
He told the court that procurement regulations prescribe separate approval thresholds for Parastatals Tenders Boards (PTBs) and Ministerial Tenders Boards, noting that contracts exceeding the approval limits of a parastatal’s board are referred to the ministerial board for consideration and approval.
The witnesses’ testimonies are considered significant to the prosecution’s case as they seek to establish how procurement authority within NSITF was transferred to the ministry, a process that forms part of the allegations surrounding the disputed contract awards.
Following the proceedings, Justice Hassan adjourned the matter until July 2, 2026, for the continuation of trial.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
