Lawyers representing the Concerned Lawyers for Probity and Justice protested at the Federal Ministry of Finance on Thursday over the alleged unfair distribution of payments to indigenous contractors.
The legal team is advocating for firms owed approximately ₦4 trillion for government-commissioned work, joining forces with AICAN and the Enough is Enough Movement to demand transparency.
During the demonstration, Mr. Precious Isi Okoh accused the ministry of deliberately withholding verified payments, a move she claims has caused “severe financial distress” for local businesses.
This latest action follows a series of tense encounters at the ministry, including reports of security forces firing into the air to disperse previous crowds of contractors.
Despite a partial payout following protests in late 2025, the legal group argues that the bulk of the debt remains unpaid.
They highlighted that many of these contractors are now struggling to service high-interest bank loans used to fund the projects, leading to widespread hardship for both business owners and their employees.
According to them, several contractors are now facing asset seizures by banks, including homes and vehicles, while families have been displaced and livelihoods destroyed.
“Contractors who borrowed from banks at high interest rates to fund these projects now face relentless loan defaults, with banks seizing homes, vehicles and other assets,” Okoh said.
“Entire households have been uprooted, dreams shattered and futures stolen — all because payments promised and earned have not been made.”
Warning of a broader economic crisis, the lawyers highlighted that thousands of jobs have been lost and national development has been paralyzed by the payment delays.
They directed their criticism squarely at the Minister of State for Finance, insisting that her office is responsible for the funding bottleneck and condemning her perceived lack of leadership and concern for affected workers.
“We are profoundly disappointed with the Minister of State for Finance, Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite. Her ministry has become a symbol of delay and detachment. She must resign,” the statement added.
The protesters cited Sections 15(5) and 16(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), arguing that withholding earned payments constitutes abuse of power and undermines citizens’ welfare.
They called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene to ensure accountability and the immediate release of all verified funds owed to contractors.
The lawyers warned that failure to act would compel them to pursue legal remedies, including court enforcement of contractual obligations, public-interest litigation, and calls for international monitoring of the payment process.
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