Officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have interrogated Chris Ngige, a former governor of Anambra State whose election was voided by an appellate court in 2006. Ngige, a medical doctor by training, was questioned on allegations of fraud, money laundering and abuse of office.
EFCC sources told Saharareporters that Dr. Ngige was invited to their Lagos office to answer questions arising from five petitions that originated from Anambra State. The petitions accuse the former governor of illegally benefiting from contract awards as well as other forms of embezzlement during his almost three-year governance of Anambra State.
Dr. Ngige surrendered himself to EFCC operatives on Tuesday and was interrogated for several hours. Of particular interest to investigators were petitions pertaining to his management of a “Security Account” fund set up from deductions he allegedly made from local government allocations to the state.
Dr. Ngige was granted bail yesterday after interrogations and asked to report back to the EFCC today. The former governor told Saharareporters that Dr. Ngige kept his appointment with the EFCC today and was granted bail on self-recognition. He is required to report back to the EFCC tomorrow for further interrogations, after which he may given another date to return in January, 2008.
Dr. Ngige was nominated to stand as the governorship candidate of the AC during last April’s massively rigged polls. However, his name was removed from the roster of candidates following a recommendation by the EFCC, and the decision by a controversial administrative panel set up by former President Olusegun Obasanjo. The Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) never allowed Dr. Ngige to be listed as a candidate even though two courts ruled that his exclusion was improper.
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