Company Claims Project in Ebonyi Was Fraudulently Hijacked

A construction firm, Enegix Construction JV PMCC Ltd, has alleged that officials of the Ebonyi State Government and a private individual unlawfully seized control of its Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) contract, diverted project funds, and threatened its staff.

During a press conference in Abuja over the weekend, the company accused the officials of unlawful interference, intimidation, abuse of office, and economic sabotage related to the execution of the RAAMP road project in Ebonyi State.

Speaking to journalists, the company said it had been lawfully awarded the contract and had already mobilised engineers, heavy‑duty equipment, and construction materials to the site before the dispute began.

According to Enegix, substantial work had been completed on the 28‑kilometre road, including full clearance of the corridor, extensive earthworks, drainage infrastructure, bridge construction, and concrete pavement works.

The firm stated that a joint measurement exercise carried out with representatives of the Ebonyi State Government on 1 September 2025 confirmed that work valued at over N1.014 billion had already been executed.

Despite this verified level of work, the Ebonyi State Project Coordinator allegedly refused to approve the amortisation of its Advance Payment Guarantee (APG), creating severe financial difficulties for the firm.

Enegix maintains it never abandoned the project site, contrary to claims allegedly made by the Ebonyi State Commissioner for Rural Development. The company explained that construction activities were only temporarily slowed due to torrential rainfall that affected engineering quality standards.

The firm further alleged that while it was seeking alternative financing to sustain the project, a woman identified as Ms. Osagie Adewumni approached the company claiming close ties with former President Olusegun Obasanjo and offering to facilitate investments and funding opportunities.

According to the company, Adewumni later demanded $250,000, 40 percent equity in the company, and appointment as a non‑executive director, allegedly on behalf of the former president.

Enegix discovered that the claims linking her to Obasanjo were false after the former president reportedly disowned her in writing and denied authorising her to act on his behalf.

The company alleged that Adewumni fraudulently took control of a company‑related bank account and secured facilities worth about N1.5 billion in the company’s name through alleged collaboration with Ebonyi State Commissioner for Rural Development, Mr. Okpor Jude Chikadibia.

The firm also accused state officials of backing attempts to unlawfully remove it from the project site and replace it with Adewumni.

It claimed that its workers and engineers were threatened and prevented from accessing the site, forcing the company to temporarily withdraw personnel over security concerns.

The firm further asserted that several construction materials, machines, and equipment worth hundreds of millions of naira were vandalised, stolen, or destroyed during the period it was denied access to the site.

The company also alleged that pressure was being mounted on project consultants to pay contract funds directly to Adewumni despite the absence of any contractual relationship between her and the RAAMP authorities.

It called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), Nigerian Police, and other security agencies to investigate the matter.

The company also appealed to the World Bank, Agence Française de Développement, and other development partners to ensure that all payments relating to the project were made only through its officially recognised Zenith Bank account.

Enegix insists it remains the lawful contractor handling the RAAMP project and vows to pursue all legal remedies available both within and outside Nigeria to protect its contractual rights and investments.