Former Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, has been detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), according to confirmation from his former media aide, Fred Chukwuelobe.
Reports earlier circulated on social media claiming the former Anambra State governor had been abducted, prompting concerns from associates and journalists.
However, Chukwuelobe clarified through a Facebook post that Ngige was neither kidnapped nor abducted, but is currently in EFCC custody.
> “Ngige is with the EFCC. He was not abducted or kidnapped,” Chukwuelobe wrote, dismissing the viral rumours.
As of the time of filing this report, the EFCC has not publicly stated the reason for Ngige’s detention.
Ngige becomes the second minister who served under former President Muhammadu Buhari to be taken in by the anti-graft agency in recent days.
Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, is also being held by the EFCC. Malami stated on Wednesday that he is being investigated over alleged irregularities in the recovery of the Abacha loot, particularly the handling of $310 million, which reportedly accrued interest to about $322.5 million.
Malami, however, has described the allegations of abuse of office and money laundering as “unfounded and unreasonable,” insisting that the probe will not withstand factual scrutiny.
The EFCC has yet to issue formal statements regarding the detention of both former ministers, leaving the public awaiting further clarification from the anti-graft agency.
