EXCLUSIVE: Ebonyi Govt Awards N7.2Billion Contracts To Governor Nwifuru’s Personal Assistant

Ebonyi Governor Awards Billions in Contracts to Aides, Brother, and In-Law

October 3, 2025

Investigations by SaharaReporters have revealed that the Ebonyi State government, under Governor Francis Nwifuru, has awarded multi-billion-naira contracts to companies linked to his close relatives and aides—raising concerns over conflict of interest, contract splitting, and lack of due process.

Governor’s Personal Assistant Secures N7.2 Billion in Contracts

Between November 2024 and February 2025, the Ebonyi State government awarded two contracts worth N7.2 billion to Oke Ogirima Nigeria Limited, a company owned by the governor’s personal assistant, Nwodom Okechukwu Peter.

• In February 2025, the Ministry of Works and Transport awarded the firm a N5.6 billion contract for the construction of the 16.7KM Rander Mbamiri Road in Izzi LGA.
• The Ministry of Tertiary Education also awarded Oke Ogirima a N1.6 billion contract for the construction of a proposed faculty building at ICT University.

Records from the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) show that Peter, a personal aide to Governor Nwifuru, is listed as one of the company’s directors. Further checks linked the firm’s registered phone number to “Oke Nwodom (PA),” confirming his identity.

Prior to these awards, Oke Ogirima had never secured any government contract. Its sudden emergence as a major contractor coincided with Peter’s appointment as the governor’s aide.

Governor’s Brother Secured N3 Billion in Contracts

Earlier findings revealed that the governor’s brother, Simeon Nwifuru, used two companies—Celeco Plaza Limited and Best Celeco Construction Company—to secure contracts worth N3.001 billion between February 2024 and March 2025.

• Celeco Plaza Limited, registered on February 18, 2024, received a N1.542 billion contract for the construction of a three-storey student hostel at ICT University, Oferepke.
• Best Celeco Construction Company, registered on February 8, 2024, secured a N1.287 billion contract for a similar hostel project at the same university.
• Best Celeco also received a N172 million contract on October 7, 2024, for the construction of a twelve-classroom building at Girls High School, Azuiyiokwu.

Both companies share the same business address—No. 1 Achi Street, Abakaliki—and were registered within ten days of each other. Investigators suggest this may be a case of contract splitting, designed to bypass procurement laws.

Governor’s Brother-in-law Won N3.1 Billion in Contracts

Further investigations show that HC Carter Ventures Ltd, a company linked to the governor’s brother-in-law, Nwode Chidi Henry, secured N3.113 billion in contracts between July 2024 and May 2025.

• In July 2024, the company won a N400 million contract for the construction of a 2km road in Ikwo LGA.
• In October 2024, it received a N172 million contract to build a twelve-classroom block at Community Secondary School, Ojiegbe Nkaliki.
• In May 2025, the firm secured its largest deal—N2.541 billion for the construction of a concrete rigid pavement (5,000m) on the TTC–Iboko Road in Izzi LGA.

According to CAC records, Henry, who is married to the governor’s sister-in-law, listed his address within government quarters in Abakaliki, further confirming his political connections.

Pattern of Patronage

In total, companies linked to Governor Nwifuru’s personal aide, brother, and brother-in-law have been awarded over N13 billion in contracts within two years—many of them shortly after being registered.

Transparency advocates argue that these awards raise questions about conflict of interest, procurement integrity, and whether the firms met the technical qualifications to handle such large-scale projects.

Source: Sahara Reporter