By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

Details have emerged on how the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) stormed the Asokoro, Abuja residence of former Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr. Chris Ngige, and arrested him in his pyjamas.

According to witnesses, Ngige, who had been on administrative bail from the Commission after honouring an earlier invitation for questioning over alleged fraud, was stunned when about 20 operatives came to his house.

The officers, from the Commission’s Wuse II Zonal Office, were said to have arrived at the property on Justice Mohammed Bello Road and swiftly moved into the compound before whisking Ngige away without letting him have a change of clothes.

A family member said the former minister was “surprised and confused” as officers bundled him out.

The source said: "He had maintained contact with investigators and complied with directives, including returning his travel documents.

"Trouble reportedly began during a recent medical trip he attempted to the United States. Transiting through the UK, he allegedly lost his passport and aborted the trip, later securing emergency travel documents from the Nigerian High Commission in London to return home.

"On return to Abuja, Ngige drafted a letter to notify the EFCC of the lost passport, explaining why he couldn’t return the document as required. He hadn’t submitted the letter when EFCC operatives arrived and took him into custody.”

Sources close to the former Anambra State Governor said he expressed shock over the arrest, insisting that he had not violated his bail conditions and had cooperated fully.

Meanwhile, a statement by Ngige’s former media aide, Sir Fred Chukwuelobe, said that the EFCC may bring him before a court today, where his legal team will argue for his release on bail as the case unfolds.

Update news