EFCC Files Charge Against Ngige, Ex-Minister To Be Arraigned On Friday

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed an eight count charge against the former Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chris Ngige.

Channels Television’s judiciary correspondent, Shola Soyele who obtained a copy of the charge reports that the former minister will be arraigned on Friday at the FCT High Court in Gwarimpa, Abuja.

In the charge dated Oct 31st and filed by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Sylvanus Tahir and five other lawyers on behalf of the EFCC, the anti-graft agency alleged that Ngige used his position as a former minister to confer undue advantage by awarding different contracts to his associates and different companies believed to be owned by him.

In count 1, the former minister, between September 2015 and May 2023, while being the supervising Minister of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), used his position to confer an unfair advantage upon Cezimo Nigeria Limited, a company whose MD/CEO and alter ego, Ezebinwa Amarachukwu Charles is believed to be his associate.

READ ALSO: Ngige In EFCC Custody, Not Kidnapped — Aide

He allegedly awarded seven different contracts for consultancy, training and supply by the NSITF to the said company to the tune of ₦366,470,920.68 (Three Hundred and Sixty Six Million, Four Hundred and Seventy Thousand, Nine Hundred and Twenty Naira and Sixty Eight Kobo) and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

Other companies mentioned in the charge are Zitacom Nigeria Limited, a company whose MD/CEO and alter ego, Ezebinwa Amarachukwu Charles was awarded of eight different contracts for supply, training and consultancy, with the NSITF to the tune of ₦583,682,686.00 (Five Hundred and Eighty Three Million, Six Hundred and Eighty Two Thousand, Six Hundred and Eighty Six Naira and Jeff & Xris Limited, a company whose MD/CEO and alter ego, Nwosu Jideofor Chukwunwike also got eight different contracts to the tune of ₦362,043,163.16 (Three Hundred and Sixty Two Million, Forty Three Thousand, One Hundred and Sixty Three Naira and Sixteen Kobo).

BREAKING: Uzoho, Onuachu Return, Okoye Omitted As Nigeria Unveils AFCON 2025 Squad

Goalkeeper Francis Uzoho has made a surprise return to the Super Eagles, while Maduka Okoye, who has been deputizing for first-choice keeper Stanley Nwabali, was omitted from Nigeria’s AFCON 2025 squad list.

Also recalled to the team is Paul Onuachu, who has been scoring freely for his Turkish club, Trabzonspor.

The long-awaited squad list was released by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on its verified X handle on Thursday night.

In the final list, coach Eric Chelle named three goalkeepers, eight defenders, eight midfielders and nine forwards for the tournament scheduled for December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, in Morocco.

The 28-player squad blends familiar stars with fresh faces as the Super Eagles gear up for the competition, which kicks off on December 21.

Victor Boniface, Tolu Arokodare, and Kelechi Iheanacho have also been omitted from the squad, while Ebenezer Akinsanmiro received his first call-up.

See the full team list below:

Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania); Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus)

Defenders: Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (Hull City, England); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece); Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes FC, France); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague, Czech Republic); Ryan Alebiosu (Blackburn Rovers, England)

Midfielders: Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (SS Lazio, Italy); Ebenezer Akinsanmiro (Pisa SC, Italy); Usman Muhammed (Ironi Tiberias, Israel); Tochukwu Nnadi (Zulte Waregem, Belgium)

Barcelona ‘not a pressure’ for on-loan Rashford

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Marcus Rashford says he finds nothing at Barcelona “a pressure” and is enjoying a “new language of football” as he continues to thrive since his move from Manchester United.

The England forward, 28, joined the Spanish club on loan in the summer following a difficult period at Old Trafford, spending the second half of last season on loan at Aston Villa.

His move to La Liga has so far been a success, scoring six goals and making eight assists in 21 appearances.

“I don’t see anything here as like a pressure. It’s just, I’m here to play football,” Rashford told BBC Sport.

    • 26 October

Rashford, who revealed Barcelona were his “favourite club outside of England” as a child, said he is taking time to immerse himself fully in the lifestyle while living in the Spanish city.

Speaking to BBC Sport after his first Barcelona community event at a local school, he said: “It’s different, but it’s a great learning curve for me.

“And even little things, I’ve not done it completely yet, but learning the language and stuff like that, learning the culture, it’s all enjoyable for me.”

Rashford scored 138 goals in 426 matches for United since making his debut for the club in 2016 and won five major trophies.

However, he fell out of favour at his boyhood club after being dropped by manager Ruben Amorim, leading to a short-term move to Premier League rivals Villa, before joining Barca on an initial 12-month loan in July.

His impressive loan spell at Villa Park caught the eye of England manager Thomas Tuchel earlier this year, and now Rashford has found himself back in the squad after losing his place under former boss Gareth Southgate following his drop in form at United.

Barcelona, who have won La Liga 28 times, have the option of signing Rashford on a permanent basis for £30.3m (35m euros) in 2026. For his part, Rashford has said he would like to stay.

“It’s a new language of football,” said Rashford. “I’ve always been, like many people in the world, an admirer of Spanish football.

“To play for the biggest club in Spain is a huge honour. I’m looking forward to playing more games here, just doing my best and try to help the team to win.”

Rashford’s performance in Tuesday’s 2-1 Champions League win over Eintracht Frankfurt, in which he came off the bench and provided an assist for Jules Kounde, brought praise from the Spanish media.

And with Barca four points clear of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga after securing five league wins in a row, Rashford’s aim for the rest of the season is “simply just to win”.

“It’s a club that demands this,” he said.

Getty Images

Related topics

  • Spanish La Liga
  • Barcelona
  • European Football
  • Football

More on this story

Barcelona ‘not a pressure’ for on-loan Rashford

To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.

Marcus Rashford says he finds nothing at Barcelona “a pressure” and is enjoying a “new language of football” as he continues to thrive since his move from Manchester United.

The England forward, 28, joined the Spanish club on loan in the summer following a difficult period at Old Trafford, spending the second half of last season on loan at Aston Villa.

His move to La Liga has so far been a success, scoring six goals and making eight assists in 21 appearances.

“I don’t see anything here as like a pressure. It’s just, I’m here to play football,” Rashford told BBC Sport.

    • 26 October

Rashford, who revealed Barcelona were his “favourite club outside of England” as a child, said he is taking time to immerse himself fully in the lifestyle while living in the Spanish city.

Speaking to BBC Sport after his first Barcelona community event at a local school, he said: “It’s different, but it’s a great learning curve for me.

“And even little things, I’ve not done it completely yet, but learning the language and stuff like that, learning the culture, it’s all enjoyable for me.”

Rashford scored 138 goals in 426 matches for United since making his debut for the club in 2016 and won five major trophies.

However, he fell out of favour at his boyhood club after being dropped by manager Ruben Amorim, leading to a short-term move to Premier League rivals Villa, before joining Barca on an initial 12-month loan in July.

His impressive loan spell at Villa Park caught the eye of England manager Thomas Tuchel earlier this year, and now Rashford has found himself back in the squad after losing his place under former boss Gareth Southgate following his drop in form at United.

Barcelona, who have won La Liga 28 times, have the option of signing Rashford on a permanent basis for £30.3m (35m euros) in 2026. For his part, Rashford has said he would like to stay.

“It’s a new language of football,” said Rashford. “I’ve always been, like many people in the world, an admirer of Spanish football.

“To play for the biggest club in Spain is a huge honour. I’m looking forward to playing more games here, just doing my best and try to help the team to win.”

Rashford’s performance in Tuesday’s 2-1 Champions League win over Eintracht Frankfurt, in which he came off the bench and provided an assist for Jules Kounde, brought praise from the Spanish media.

And with Barca four points clear of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga after securing five league wins in a row, Rashford’s aim for the rest of the season is “simply just to win”.

“It’s a club that demands this,” he said.

Getty Images

Related topics

  • Spanish La Liga
  • Barcelona
  • European Football
  • Football

More on this story