# EFCC Witness Testifies in Corruption Case Against Former Minister Chris Ngige

- Link: https://viralbrief.top/efcc-witness-testifies-in-corruption-case-against-former-minister-chris-ngige/
- Published: 2026-11-13T03:25:27+00:00
- Author: Olamide

The Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Mirian Hassan, recently
continued proceedings in the corruption case involving former Minister of Labour,
Employment and Productivity, Dr. Chris Nwabueze Ngige. The trial centers on allegations
of corruption and favoritism regarding the awarding of contracts during the former
minister’s tenure and his oversight of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (
NSITF).

## Testimony from the Procurement Director

During the latest hearing, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) presented
Dr. Maduka Onwusoro, who served as the Director of Procurement between 2019 and 
2023, as a prosecution witness. Under cross-examination by defense counsel Patrick
Ikwueto, SAN, Onwusoro addressed the procedural handling of NSITF contracts.

When questioned about the existence of presidential approvals for these contracts,
Onwusoro stated that while he was aware of such approvals through hearsay, he had
never personally seen the documentation. He testified that his actions were performed
under the direction of the minister, routed through the office of the Permanent 
Secretary.

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## Discrepancies in Administrative Procedures

The defense counsel presented several documents to the witness, including a letter
authored by Onwusoro that directed the Managing Director of the NSITF to transfer
all procurement activities to his office and to redeploy departmental staff. Onwusoro
maintained that he was acting on oral directives from the Permanent Secretary, though
he noted that he could not recall the name of the individual holding that position
at the time.

Furthermore, when shown an internal memo from the minister to the Permanent Secretary
regarding “secret” presidential approvals, the witness claimed he had never seen
the document. The defense also highlighted Onwusoro’s role as a member of the Presidential
panel tasked with investigating procurement, financial, and administrative breaches
within the NSITF.

 * Onwusoro admitted to being a member of the presidential panel.
 * He confirmed that the panel recommended moving procurement functions from the
   NSITF to the Ministry.
 * He denied serving as the chairman of said panel.

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Labour Tensions

When confronted with a Certified True Copy (CTC) of a letter from the Chief of Staff
to the then-President, which conveyed approval for the panel’s recommendations, 
the witness stated he was viewing the document for the first time. When asked why
he did not verify these directives with the Permanent Secretary’s office as a senior
public servant, Onwusoro replied that he was unaware he could take such steps.

## Court Adjournment

As the proceedings concluded, the court admitted several documents into evidence,
including presidential approvals dated March 8, 2021, and June 24, 2021, alongside
the internal memo addressed to the Permanent Secretary. Justice Hassan has adjourned
the matter until February 9, 2027.

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The current information regarding the case is limited to the testimonies and evidence
presented in this specific hearing. Further details regarding the defense’s broader
strategy or the specific financial implications of the alleged contract irregularities
remain pending as the trial continues.

<

p class=”vbna-source-note”>**Source:** [Daily Post Nigeria](https://dailypost.ng/2026/11/12/alleged-corruption-in-nsitf-efcc-witness-appears-in-court/)

  TL;DR (AI Generated)

The Federal High Court in Abuja continued the corruption trial of former Minister
Chris Ngige regarding alleged contract favoritism during his oversight of the NSITF.

During the hearing, the EFCC presented former Procurement Director Dr.

Maduka Onwusoro as a prosecution witness, who testified about procurement procedures
and acting on directives.

Defense counsel cross-examined the witness regarding administrative discrepancies
and presidential approvals, after which Justice Hassan admitted several documents
into evidence and adjourned the case to February 9, 2027.

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