- A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to former Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chris Ngige, in his ongoing ₦2.2 billion contract fraud trial.
- Justice Maryam Hassan upheld the terms of Ngige’s earlier administrative bail but imposed additional conditions, including a federal director-level surety, property ownership within the FCT, and the surrender of all travel documents.
- The case has been adjourned to January 28 and 29, 2026, for trial to begin.
Justice Maryam Hassan of the Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to the former Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chris Ngige, in his ongoing N2.2 billion contract fraud trial.
Ngige, who served as minister from 2015 to 2023, is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). In her ruling on Thursday, December 18, 2025, Justice Hassan adopted the terms of his previous administrative bail but added several strict requirements.
Bail Conditions:
- One Surety: Must be a Director on the federal government payroll.
- Property: The surety must own a property within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
- Documents: Ngige must surrender all travel documents to the court.
Justice Hassan emphasized that while bail is at the court’s discretion, the conditions must not be “unreasonable and stringent.” She further noted that judicial powers “must not be exercised arbitrarily.”
The court has adjourned the matter until January 28 and 29, 2026, for the commencement of the trial.
In other news,….. A Nigerian man has shared a viral video on X through user @Teniola, describing the difficult reality of starting over in the United Kingdom after leaving a high-status job in Nigeria.
The man revealed that back home, he worked as a “Head of Department (HOD),” a senior role that provided him with comfort and a flexible routine. He explained that he rarely had to wake up early because his position was well-structured and manageable.
His life changed drastically after moving abroad. He disclosed that he now has to resume work as early as “4:30am,” a schedule he described as exhausting and very hard to adjust to. He noted that many Nigerians who relocate often face the harsh reality of taking on demanding jobs and working their way up from the bottom again.
The story has sparked a huge debate online. Many Nigerians living overseas agreed with him, noting that while they may earn more money, the “workload, long hours, and lifestyle adjustments” can be completely overwhelming compared to their lives in Nigeria.
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