By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

Former Labour Minister, Sen. Chris Ngige, has insisted his hands are clean from N2.2 billion allegations of fraud levelled against him while in office,

Ngige was recently arrested from his home in Apo, Abuja by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), but was later granted bail by the court after being remanded in Kuje Prison on the order of the court.

Hours after his release, the ex-Minister who served as Minister of Labour Party and Employment, attended the Caucus meeting of his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), at Aso Villa, Abuja.

In a statement made available to journalists on Saturday, Ngige thanked friends, family, and colleagues, emphasizing that no fraud was found in the petitions against him.

He highlighted his three decades of public service, including his tenure as a governor, saying, “In all my years of over three decades of public service, including as Governor of a state, I have not been found wanting in the handling of public funds and use of my office.

"The charges did not allege embezzlement, misappropriation, or theft of public funds.

"My hands are clean, and it will be interesting to see where and how these companies were allegedly given ‘unfair advantage’ in a process over which ministers neither participate in nor control.

"Permanent Secretaries, who serve as Chairmen of Ministerial Tenders Boards, preside over such matters. The five companies mentioned in the petitions were traditional contenders for contracts but often failed bids.

“The five companies mentioned have always competed like all others and, in many instances, failed to win bids. In some cases, as we now know, they were even disqualified for not meeting specific requirements."