Blessing Omale, Abuja
A former presidential investigative panel member has told the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja that he received a directive to implement presidential decisions arising from an investigation into the activities of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) during the tenure of Chris Ngige as Minister of Labour and Employment.
The EFCC disclosed the development in a statement issued on Thursday by Dele Oyewale, its Head of Media and Publicity.
The witness, Onwusoro Maduka Iheamelam, a Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, gave the testimony on Thursday while appearing as the third prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of the former minister over alleged fraud and abuse of office involving N2.26 billion in NSITF contracts.
Iheamelam, who disclosed that he was a member of the presidential investigative panel constituted to examine the activities of the fund, spoke during cross-examination by defence counsel, P.I.N. Ikwueto, SAN.
He told the court that he received a presidential directive to implement decisions taken by the President following the panel’s findings, including directives relating to procurement functions and other activities of the NSITF during the period under investigation.
His testimony centred on the presidential panel’s investigation and the subsequent directives arising from its findings, which form part of the evidence being examined in the prosecution of the former minister.
The proceedings, however, featured a disagreement between the prosecution and defence over access to the witness’s previous statements.
Ikwueto requested that the prosecution produce the original copies of the statements made by the witness for examination.
But the prosecution counsel, Sylvanus Tahir, SAN, objected to the request, arguing that the defence should formally apply for Certified True Copies (CTCs) of the documents if it intended to obtain them.
The disagreement arose as the defence continued its cross-examination of the witness in the case.
Ngige is facing an eight-count charge brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) bordering on alleged abuse of office and fraudulent contract awards involving N2,261,722,535.84.
The commission accused the former minister of offences connected with the award of contracts under the NSITF during his tenure as Minister of Labour and Employment, when the fund fell under his ministerial supervision.
The EFCC’s prosecution is centred on allegations that the former minister abused his position in connection with the award of contracts valued at more than N2.26 billion.
Ngige has yet to be convicted of the allegations, which remain subject to determination by the court.
Following Thursday’s proceedings, Justice M.A. Hassan adjourned the case until February 9, 10 and 11, 2027, for continuation of the trial.
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