A former Anambra State governor, Chris Ngige, was on Wednesday, arrested in Abuja.
Ngige, who is also the immediate-past Minister of Labour and Employment, is currently with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC).
Ngige’s aide, Fred Chukwuelobe, in a statement posted on Facebook yesterday, said that about 20 operatives from the EFCC’s Wuse-II Zonal Office stormed the former minister’s residence on Justice Mohammed Bello Road, Asokoro, on Tuesday. He alleged that Ngige was “whisked away” without being allowed to change out of his pyjamas.
Ngige was reportedly on an “administrative bail” after an earlier EFCC invitation, during which he was questioned for undisclosed reasons. According to the statement, he had been in contact with investigators and complied with instructions, including returning his travel documents.
Upon returning, Ngige reportedly drafted a letter to inform the EFCC of the lost documents and his inability to return them immediately. However, according to the aide, the letter had not been submitted before EFCC officers arrived at his residence.
“Dr. Ngige is said to have expressed surprise at his arrest when he had not violated the terms of his administrative bail and had cooperated with the agency in its statutory duties. It was gathered that he will be charged to court, which will now hear arguments from his lawyers and possibly grant him bail”, Chukwuelobe said.
Chukwuelobe said the former minister had not expected the sudden visit. He emphasised that Ngige had been compliant with all requests from the EFCC, including returning his travel documents and remaining available for inquiries.
The former governor served as Minister of Labour and Productivity during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari and was previously elected Governor of Anambra State.
His alleged arraignment, if confirmed, would mark a continuation of high-profile investigations by the EFCC involving former public officials.
