By ABUJA’s John Alechenu
Under the banner of Concerned Lawyers for Probity and Justice, more than 500 attorneys stormed the Federal Ministry of Finance to join the indigenous contractors’ protest, seeking payment of an estimated ₦4 trillion for finished capital projects.
Along with other civil society organizations including the Enough is Enough Movement and the All Indigenous Contractors Association of Nigeria (AICAN), the lawyers accused the ministry of showing partiality in its interactions with contractors.
The demonstrators also called for Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, the Minister of State for Finance, to step down due to her alleged mishandling of the situation.
At 12:48 p.m. on Thursday, a number of demonstrators, police patrol cars, and armed police officers were seen obstructing the Ministry’s main entrance.
Despite limited payouts in December 2025, the bulk of verified invoices remain unpaid, worsening their financial suffering, according to some of the contractors who spoke on condition of anonymity out of fear of retribution.
Contractors cited instances in which people who took out high-interest loans to finance projects are now facing asset seizures by banks in a statement signed by Barrister Precious Isi Okoh that was read during the nonviolent demonstration.
“Contractors who borrowed from banks at high interest rates to finance these projects now face relentless loan defaults, with banks seizing homes, vehicles, and other assets,” stated Okoh.
“Wives and kids witness their breadwinners become hopeless, with some being driven to the verge of mental collapse or worse.”
Because promised and earned payments have not been fulfilled, entire households have been relocated, dreams have been dashed, and futures have been robbed.
“The ripple effects harm our national economy in addition to causing personal pain. Thousands of workers—masons, engineers, and laborers—are employed by these contractors, and their survival depends on consistent contracts.
“Local marketplaces suffer, jobs go, purchasing power declines, and economic growth comes to a standstill when payments stall. A country deprives itself of growth when it starves its own builders.
“We are extremely dissatisfied with Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, the Minister of State for Finance, whose office is directly in charge of distributing these funds. Her ministry has come to represent inaction and delay rather than empathy and leadership. She needs to step down immediately.
To bolster their argument, the attorneys also used constitutional clauses.
They said, “Section 15(5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) requires the State to abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power—yet withholding earned payments from citizens who delivered is a clear abuse that breeds distrust and hardship,” the statement read.
“The State is further required by Section 16(2)(b) to manage resources for the maximum welfare and happiness of every citizen—payments to these contractors would inject vital capital back into the economy, supporting families and fueling development.”
The lawyers urged President Bola Tinubu to step in and promised to pursue legal action if the ministry did not immediately fulfill its contractual responsibilities. No ministry official was on hand to address the protesters.
