The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will on Friday prosecute former Minister of Labor and Productivity and former Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Chris Ngige, following his arrest during an early morning operation at his Abuja residence on Wednesday.
A statement issued by his media assistant, Fred Chukwuelobe, described the arrest as a forceful dawn raid carried out by operatives of the Wuse II Zonal Office of the EFCC. According to him, about 20 officers barged into Ngige’s house at Justice Mohammed Bello Road, Asokoro, and allegedly took him away without allowing him to change his night clothes.
“They did not allow him to change his clothes and took him away still in his pajamas,” Chukwuelobe alleged.
The statement linked the arrest to an ongoing EFCC investigation for which Ngige had earlier been granted administrative bail and had reportedly been cooperative.
As part of his bail conditions, Ngige was ordered to produce his travel documents. However, during a recent trip for medical treatment in the United States, he reportedly lost his passport while in transit through the United Kingdom, forcing him to return to Nigeria with emergency travel documents issued by the Nigerian High Commission in London.
Upon returning to Abuja, Ngige drafted a letter notifying the EFCC of the loss and explaining his inability to produce the passport, but had not formally submitted the explanation before Wednesday’s arrest.
“Dr Ngige expressed surprise at his arrest as he had not violated the terms of his administrative bail and had cooperated with the agency in its legal duties,” the statement added.
Chukwuelobe also dismissed speculation that the arrest was politically motivated or linked to Ngige’s recent meeting with Labor Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, describing such claims as unfounded and capable of inflaming tensions.
He said the arraignment scheduled for Friday is expected to clear up the allegations and allow Ngige’s legal team to apply for bail.