The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is set to take former Minister of Labour and Productivity, and ex-Governor of Anambra State, Chris Ngige, to court today following his arrest in Abuja.
Ngige was taken from his Asokoro residence on Tuesday by EFCC officers from the Wuse II Zonal Office. The arrest happened early in the day, and he was picked up without being given the chance to change out of his nightwear, according to a family source.
Before the arrest, Ngige had been on administrative bail after he was invited and questioned by the agency. He had been in communication with the EFCC and had earlier been told to submit his travel documents.
He later travelled for medical reasons but lost his passport while passing through the United Kingdom on his way to the United States. The loss forced him to end the trip and return to Nigeria using temporary travel papers issued by the Nigerian High Commission in London.
Upon his return to Abuja, Ngige prepared a letter meant for the EFCC explaining that he could not submit the passport because it was missing. The letter was still with him when EFCC operatives arrived at his home and took him away.
The former minister is said to be shocked by the arrest, insisting he had kept to the terms of his administrative bail and had cooperated with investigators.
He is expected to be brought before a court where his legal team will present arguments and possibly seek bail.