Over 500 legal practitioners operating under the banner of Concerned Lawyers for Probity and Justice on Thursday stormed the Federal Ministry of Finance in Abuja to support indigenous contractors protesting the non-payment of an estimated ₦4 trillion for completed capital projects.
The lawyers were joined by civil society organisations including the Enough is Enough Movement and the All Indigenous Contractors Association of Nigeria (AICAN). The protesters accused the Ministry of Finance of favoritism in its handling of contractor payments and demanded urgent intervention to resolve the prolonged debt crisis.
During the peaceful protest, demonstrators also called for the resignation of the Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, alleging mismanagement of the situation and a lack of empathy toward affected contractors. Security presence was heavy, with police patrol vehicles and armed officers barricading the main entrance of the ministry as of 12:48 pm.
Some contractors, who spoke anonymously for fear of victimisation, revealed that although partial payments were made in December 2025, most verified debts remain unpaid. They said the delays have worsened their financial hardship, pushing many into severe debt.
A statement signed by Barrister Precious Isi Okoh and read during the protest painted a grim picture of the contractors’ plight. According to the statement, many contractors obtained bank loans at high interest rates to execute government projects and are now facing asset seizures, including homes and vehicles, due to loan defaults.
The lawyers warned that beyond individual suffering, the unpaid debts are damaging the national economy, leading to job losses, reduced purchasing power, and stalled economic growth. They cited Sections 15(5) and 16(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution to argue that withholding earned payments amounts to abuse of power and undermines citizens’ welfare.
The protesters appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene, vowing to pursue legal action if the ministry fails to meet its contractual obligations. No official from the ministry addressed the protesters.
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