RismadarVoice Reporters, January 29, 2026
Lawyers under the banner of Concerned Lawyers for Probity and Justice staged a protest on Thursday at the Federal Ministry of Finance, Abuja, demanding the payment of outstanding funds owed to indigenous contractors for completed capital projects.
The lawyers, joined by members of the Enough is Enough Movement and the All Indigenous Contractors Association of Nigeria, said contractors are collectively owed an estimated ₦4 trillion by government agencies.
The demonstration follows weeks of similar protests by contractors, some of which disrupted activities at the ministry’s headquarters.
The lawyers called for urgent action on the contractors’ claims and demanded immediate settlement.
Speaking at the protest, Precious Okoh, spokesperson for the group, said delays in payments have placed contractors and their families under severe financial pressure.
“Contractors who borrowed from banks at high interest rates to fund these projects now face relentless loan defaults, with homes, vehicles, and other assets being seized.
Entire households have been uprooted, dreams shattered, and futures jeopardized because promised payments have not been made,” Okoh said.
She warned that delayed payments also affect employment and the broader economy, noting that contractors employ thousands of workers, including masons, engineers, and labourers, who depend on steady contracts for survival.
Okoh cited the 1999 Constitution (as amended) in support of the protest, highlighting that Section 15(5) obliges the state to abolish corrupt practices and Section 16(2)(b) mandates the government to manage resources to promote citizens’ welfare.
She argued that settling verified contractor claims would inject vital capital into the economy and support national development.
The group called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene, ensure the prompt release of funds.
They also indicated that legal options, including court action to enforce contractual obligations, would be pursued if payments remain unresolved.
