500 Lawyers Protest At Finance Ministry Over ₦4tn Unpaid Contractors’ Debts
***Demand resignation of Minister Uzoka-Anite over alleged selective payments, favouritism
About 500 lawyers under the umbrella of Concerned Lawyers for Probity and Justice on Wednesday staged a protest at the Federal Ministry of Finance, demanding the payment of an estimated ₦4 trillion owed to indigenous contractors for completed capital projects.
The lawyers, who marched in solidarity with affected contractors, accused the ministry of selective disbursement of funds, favouritism, and administrative negligence, and called for the immediate resignation of the Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite.
The protest was organised in collaboration with the Enough is Enough Movement and the All Indigenous Contractors Association of Nigeria (AICAN).
Background of mounting protests
The demonstration follows a series of protests by contractors in recent weeks over unpaid debts, including earlier blockades of the ministry’s entrance that reportedly prevented the minister from accessing her office. During one such protest, security operatives were alleged to have fired shots into the air to disperse demonstrators.
Although contractors confirmed that partial payments were released after protests in December 2025, they insist that the bulk of verified and certified debts remain unpaid, worsening their financial hardship.
Lawyers cite human and economic toll
In a press statement issued at the protest ground, Barrister Precious Isi Okoh, who signed on behalf of the group, described the situation as a humanitarian and economic crisis.
According to Okoh, many contractors had taken high-interest bank loans to execute government projects and are now facing loan defaults, asset seizures, and family displacement due to non-payment.
“Contractors who borrowed from banks at high interest rates to fund these projects now face relentless loan defaults, with banks seizing homes, vehicles, and other assets,” the statement read.
“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.”
He added that delayed payments have resulted in mass job losses in construction and allied sectors, reduced local economic activity, and stalled national development.
“These contractors employ thousands of workers—masons, engineers, labourers—who depend on steady contracts for survival. When payments stall, jobs vanish, purchasing power drops, local markets suffer, and economic growth grinds to a halt,” Okoh said.
Call for minister’s resignation
The lawyers expressed disappointment with Dr. Uzoka-Anite, accusing her office of failing to show leadership and compassion.
“Instead of showing leadership and empathy, her ministry has become a symbol of delay and detachment. She must resign now,” the statement declared.
Constitutional backing and warning
The group cited provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to support their demands.
They referenced Section 15(5), which mandates the state to abolish corrupt practices and abuse of power, arguing that withholding payment for completed projects constitutes such abuse. They also cited Section 16(2)(b), which obliges the state to manage national resources for the welfare and happiness of citizens.
The lawyers called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene directly to ensure transparency, accountability, and the immediate release of all verified funds.
They warned that failure to act promptly would result in legal action, including court enforcement of contractual rights, public interest litigation, and calls for international monitoring of the payment process.
