In the ongoing trial of former Anambra State Governor and ex-Minister of Labour, Chris Ngige, a prosecution witness on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, told the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Gwarimpa, Abuja, that a company awarded the N80 million contract for the renovation of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) Makurdi office did not participate in the bidding process.
The First Prosecution Witness, Mr. Pedro Torwuese Chellen, an entrepreneur and project manager of Imanil Haq Nigeria Limited, testified before Justice M.A. Hassan that his company had applied and participated in the advertised contract bidding but lost to a firm that had not submitted a bid.
Led by prosecution counsel, Sylvanus Tahir, SAN, Chellen said his company subsequently petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) after discovering the irregularity. He was later invited by the EFCC, where his statements were recorded. The petition and accompanying bid documents were admitted in court as Exhibit P1.
The witness further explained that he had approached NSITF management for clarification on the contract award, but received no response. An appeal to the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) revealed that the contract had indeed been awarded to a company that did not participate in the bidding process.
During cross-examination by defence counsel P.I.N. Ikwueto, SAN, Chellen said his petition targeted the NSITF management board. He also raised concerns over the reclassification of the contract from “Renovation of Makurdi Office” to “Construction of Makurdi Office,” and the increase in the contract sum from N80 million to N120 million by the board.
Chellen acknowledged that he made the statements to the EFCC in 2023, highlighting alleged widespread corruption within NSITF. He also admitted that, while he had not attended any NSITF board meetings, he had learned through the media that the board was later reconstituted.
The matter was adjourned to January 29, 2026, for continuation.
