EFCC detains former Labour Minister Chris Ngige amid expanding probe of ex-Buhari officials
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has detained former Minister of Labour and Employment and ex-Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Chris Nwabueze Ngige, as investigations into alleged corruption under the Muhammadu Buhari administration widen.
Ngige’s arrest comes barely days after the detention of former Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Abubakar Malami (SAN), who has spent three nights in EFCC custody responding to allegations of misconduct while in office. Another former minister from the same administration, ex-Petroleum Minister Timipre Sylva, has been declared wanted by the agency but has yet to surrender himself.
Ngige’s media aide, Fred Chukwuelobe, confirmed his principal’s detention in a brief statement late Thursday, dismissing rumours that the former minister had been abducted.
“I have been receiving calls… seeking the veracity of the news that His Excellency, Dr Chris Ngige, has been kidnapped,” Chukwuelobe said. “Ngige is with the EFCC. He was not abducted or kidnapped.”
He added that details of the circumstances surrounding Ngige’s arrest would be released in due course.
Meanwhile, tension has gripped Ngige’s hometown of Alor, in Idemili South Local Government Area, where residents were said to be speaking in subdued tones following reports of his detention, according to 247Ureports.
Ngige has long faced allegations connected to his political career. The EFCC previously accused him of diverting or laundering over N46 billion belonging to Anambra local governments during his tenure as governor. As Labour Minister, he was also questioned by the ICPC — with EFCC collaboration — over alleged contract irregularities at the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) and accusations of job racketeering.
The EFCC has not yet issued an official statement on his arrest, but sources indicate that the investigation is part of a broader sweep into financial malpractice within the last administration.
