A prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of former Anambra State governor and ex-Minister of Labour, Dr Chris Ngige, has told a Federal Capital Territory High Court in Gwarimpa, Abuja, that an N80 million contract for the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) Makurdi office was awarded to a company that did not participate in the bidding process.
The allegation was disclosed in a statement posted on Wednesday by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on its official X (formerly Twitter) account.
The witness, Mr Pedro Torwuese Chellen, an entrepreneur and project manager of Imanil Haq Nigeria Limited, told the court that his company had competed for the contract but later discovered that the winning firm allegedly did not submit a bid.
What EFCC is saying
According to the EFCC, Mr Chellen testified that the contract was awarded under the supervision of Dr Ngige during his tenure as Minister of Labour, who oversaw the NSITF.
After failing to get clarification from NSITF management, Mr Chellen said he escalated the matter to the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP). The BPP, according to his testimony, confirmed that the company that eventually won the contract did not take part in the procurement process.
“The First Prosecution Witness, PW1 Mr Pedro Torwuese Chellen… said that the company that won the contract for renovation of Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Makurdi office at the cost of N80 million did not take part in the contract bidding,” the EFCC statement said in part.
Mr Chellen also told the court that the contract description was later changed from “Renovation of Makurdi Office” to “Construction of Makurdi Office,” and that the contract sum was subsequently increased from N80 million to N120 million.
He said his statements were taken by the EFCC in 2023 as part of a broader investigation into alleged irregularities in NSITF procurement practices.
Petition and investigation
During cross-examination, the witness reportedly told the court that his petition was directed at the NSITF management board rather than specific individuals.
He also said he was not part of any board meetings but learned through media reports that the board was later reconstituted.
The court has adjourned the matter to January 29, 2026, for continuation of the trial.
Backstory
The EFCC arraigned Dr Ngige in December 2025 over multiple corruption-related allegations linked to his supervision of the NSITF while serving as Minister of Labour and Employment.
He is facing an eight-count charge marked FCT/HC/CR/726/2025, filed on December 9, 2025, by EFCC prosecutors led by Sylvanus Tahir, SAN.
The anti-graft agency alleges that between September 2015 and May 2023, Ngige gave undue advantage to companies linked to associates and approved contracts worth hundreds of millions of naira to firms including Cezimo Nigeria Limited, Zitacom Nigeria Limited, Jeff & Xris Limited, Olde English Consolidated Limited, and Shale Atlantic Intercontinental Services.
Ngige is also accused of receiving financial gifts from contractors while in office, including alleged transfers of N38.65 million, N55 million, and N26.13 million through entities linked to him.
The EFCC says the alleged actions violate Sections 17(a) and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.
What you should know
The EFCC opposed Dr Ngige’s bail application after his arraignment, citing concerns over compliance with previous administrative bail conditions.
According to the commission, Ngige allegedly failed to meet certain bail requirements, including the return of his international passport after travelling abroad for medical reasons.
The trial is ongoing, and the allegations remain subject to judicial determination.
Emmanuel Bassey is a Financial Expert that has worked in the Banking and Finance Industry for over 15+ years across different banks in Nigeria
