Chris Ngige At APC Caucus Meeting Hours After Bail
Former Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, made a notable public appearance on Tuesday after arriving at the venue of the All Progressives Congress (APC) national caucus meeting in Abuja, only hours after he was released on bail by a Federal Capital Territory High Court.
Ngige, a former governor of Anambra State and a prominent figure within the ruling party, was seen entering the State House Conference Centre where senior APC leaders had gathered for the high-level meeting.
His presence at the event drew attention given the circumstances surrounding his recent detention and subsequent release.
Earlier in the day, the court granted the former minister bail following his arraignment on multiple charges bordering on alleged financial misconduct.
Ngige had spent several days in custody after his arrest by anti-graft authorities, who accused him of abusing his office during his tenure as supervising minister of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund. The allegations are linked to contract awards and financial transactions amounting to billions of naira.
During the court proceedings, Ngige pleaded not guilty to all the charges. His legal team argued that the accusations were politically motivated and maintained that the former minister acted within the confines of the law while in office.
The court, while granting bail, imposed conditions requiring him to provide a credible surety and submit relevant property documents within the Federal Capital Territory.
Despite the legal cloud surrounding him, Ngige’s attendance at the APC caucus meeting was interpreted by political observers as a signal of his continued relevance within the party.
Sources at the venue said party leaders exchanged greetings with him as he took his seat among other influential members.
The caucus meeting, which brought together the President, Vice President, governors, lawmakers, and top party officials, focused on party affairs, governance challenges, and strategies ahead of future political engagements.
Ngige’s appearance added an unexpected dimension to the gathering, sparking conversations both within and outside the meeting hall.
While the former minister did not address journalists, aides close to him described his presence as a demonstration of confidence in the judicial process.
They reiterated his commitment to clearing his name as the case proceeds.
The trial has been adjourned to a later date for further hearings. As the legal process unfolds, Ngige’s return to the political scene so soon after his bail has continued to generate debate, reflecting the intersection of law, politics, and power within Nigeria’s political landscape.
