EFCC Trial: Witness Tells Court of Presidential Orders on NSITF Activities Under Ngige

A prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of former Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, has told a Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja that he received presidential directives to implement decisions arising from an investigation into the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF).

The witness, Onwusoro Maduka Iheamelam, gave the testimony on Thursday as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) continued its case against the former minister over alleged abuse of office and fraudulent contract awards valued at N2.26 billion.

The proceedings resumed before Justice M.A. Hassan, with Iheamelam appearing as the commission’s third prosecution witness.

The EFCC confirmed the development in a post on its official X account on Thursday, November 12, 2026.

Under cross-examination by Ngige’s defence counsel, P.I.N. Ikwueto, SAN, the witness, who is a Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, disclosed that he was part of a presidential investigative panel constituted to examine activities of the NSITF.

Iheamelam explained that he was subsequently directed by the President to implement decisions reached after the panel submitted its findings.

He said the presidential instructions included matters relating to procurement procedures and other operations of the NSITF during the period being investigated.

The hearing also witnessed a dispute between lawyers representing both sides over the availability of the witness’s previous statements.

Ikwueto asked the prosecution to produce the original versions of the statements made by the witness for the defence to examine.

But EFCC counsel, Sylvanus Tahir, SAN, challenged the request, maintaining that the defence ought to submit a formal application for Certified True Copies (CTCs) if it wanted access to the documents.

Ngige is facing eight charges filed by the EFCC, accusing him of alleged abuse of office and fraudulent contract awards totalling N2,261,722,535.84.

The case centres on contracts allegedly awarded during his time as Minister of Labour and Employment, when he supervised the NSITF.

At the conclusion of Thursday’s sitting, Justice Hassan fixed February 9, 10 and 11, 2027, for the continuation of the trial.

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