January 28, 2026 — Dalena Reporters
A key prosecution witness in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) trial of former Minister of Labour and Employment Dr. Chris Ngige told a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court on Wednesday that a Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) contract was awarded to a company that did not participate in the official bidding process.
The testimony was given by Mr. Pedro Torwuese Chellen on January 28, 2026, at the FCT High Court, Gwarimpa, Abuja, before Justice M.A. Hassan. Chellen, an entrepreneur and project manager with Imanil Haq Nigeria Limited, said his company submitted a legitimate bid for a ₦80 million renovation contract for the NSITF office in Makurdi after it was publicly advertised, but later discovered the contract was awarded to a firm that never took part in the bidding.
Chellen told the court that after his firm lost the bid, he wrote to NSITF management to ask for details of how the contract was awarded, but received no response. He then appealed to the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), which confirmed that the winning company had not participated in the bidding process.
Because of this, Chellen said his company instructed lawyers and petitioned the EFCC, prompting an investigation that led to his invitation by the anti-graft agency and the recording of his statement. His petition and related bid documents were admitted in court as evidence.
During cross-examination, Chellen also raised concerns about the change in the nature of the contract from “renovation” to “construction” of the Makurdi office and said the contract cost was increased from ₦80 million to ₦120 million after it was awarded, actions he argued further undermined due process.
Ngige, a former governor of Anambra State and Labour Minister from 2015 to 2023, is facing multiple charges in connection with alleged irregularities and fraud involving NSITF contracts totaling over ₦2.2 billion, including accusations that he used his influence to confer unfair advantages on firms linked to associates.
The trial was adjourned to January 29, 2026, for continuation of proceedings.