Dozens of lawyers under the Concerned Lawyers for Probity and Justice protested peacefully at the Federal Ministry of Finance on Thursday, demanding payment of an estimated ₦4 trillion owed to indigenous contractors for completed capital projects.
The protest, organized in collaboration with the Enough is Enough Movement and the All-Indigenous Contractors Association of Nigeria (AICAN), accused the ministry of favoritism and selective payments.
They called for the resignation of the Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite.
This demonstration follows recent contractor protests, including blockades of the ministry’s entrance, which at times prevented the minister’s access and led to security forces firing warning shots to disperse crowds.
Despite partial payments after protests in December 2025, contractors say most verified debts remain unpaid, deepening financial hardship across the sector.
In a statement signed by Barrister Precious Isi Okoh, the lawyers highlighted the severe impact on contractors and their families.
Many who borrowed at high interest rates to fund projects now face asset seizures, including homes and vehicles, worsening economic strain.
Okoh said, “Wives and children watch their breadwinners sink into despair, some pushed to the brink of mental breakdown or worse.
Entire households have been uprooted, dreams shattered, and futures stolen—all because payments promised and earned have not been made.”
The statement emphasized the broader economic fallout, warning that stalled payments have led to widespread job losses among masons, engineers, and laborers, reduced local commerce, and hindered national development.
“Beyond individual suffering, the ripple effects cripple our national economy,” Okoh said. “A nation that starves its own builders starves itself of progress.”
The lawyers expressed deep disappointment in Dr. Uzoka-Anite’s leadership, stating, “Her ministry has become a symbol of delay and detachment. She must resign now.”
Citing constitutional obligations, the group referenced Section 15(5) of the 1999 Constitution, which mandates the State to abolish corruption and abuse of power.
“Withholding earned payments from citizens is a clear abuse that breeds distrust and hardship,” the statement read.
They also highlighted Section 16(2)(b), which requires the government to manage resources for the welfare of citizens, adding that releasing payments would inject vital capital back into the economy.
The lawyers called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene urgently to ensure accountability and the prompt full release of verified funds.
They warned that without swift government action, they would seek legal remedies, including court enforcement and public interest litigation, and might pursue international monitoring of the payment process.
