Unpaid Contracts: Lawyers Accuse Finance Ministry Of Bias
Indigenous Contractors’ Debt Sparks Legal and Economic Alarm
HUNDREDS of lawyers on Thursday converged on the Federal Ministry of Finance in Abuja to protest what they described as discriminatory handling of payments owed to indigenous contractors for completed federal projects.
The protest, involving about 500 legal practitioners, was organised by the Concerned Lawyers for Probity and Justice, alongside civil society groups and contractor associations.
According to the protesters, indigenous contractors are owed an estimated ₦4 trillion for capital projects that have been executed, inspected and certified by relevant government agencies.
Claims of Unequal Treatment
The lawyers alleged that while some contractors have received payments, others with similar verification status remain unpaid, creating what they described as an atmosphere of injustice and opacity.
They accused the finance ministry of operating a selective payment system that favours certain contractors without publicly disclosed criteria.
“This lack of transparency has destroyed businesses and eroded trust in government processes,” one protester said.
Escalating Disputes at the Ministry
The protest follows weeks of unrest at the ministry, including repeated demonstrations by contractors demanding payment.
Some of these protests reportedly involved blocking access to the ministry, forcing temporary disruptions to official activities. Contractors allege that security agencies were deployed to disperse crowds, with reports of shots fired into the air during at least one confrontation.
Despite assurances and partial payments reportedly made late in 2025, contractors insist that most verified claims remain outstanding.
Contractors Facing Financial Collapse
Barrister Precious Isi Okoh told journalists that many contractors secured bank loans to fund government projects, relying on contractual guarantees of payment.
She said banks have begun enforcing loan recovery measures, including the seizure of personal and business assets.
“Homes are being taken, families displaced, and businesses destroyed because the government has failed to honour its obligations,” she said.
Wider Economic Implications
The lawyers argued that unpaid debts have triggered job losses across construction and allied industries, weakening local economies and delaying infrastructure development.
They warned that failure to address the crisis could deter future private sector participation in public projects.
Demand for Government Intervention
The protesters called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene, insisting that immediate payment of verified debts is necessary to restore confidence.
They also demanded the resignation of the Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, accusing her of failing to act decisively.
The lawyers warned that legal action would follow if payments remain unresolved.
