The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has called for an independent investigation into N60.1 billion in contracts and payments made by the Federal Ministry of Works to Reinforced Global Resources Limited.
The call followed a BusinessDay Investigations report published on September 25, 2026, which found that the company received N60.08 billion in 27 payments from the ministry between 2024 and 2026. The report said the ministry accounted for the company’s entire recorded federal payment history.
According to the investigation, Okoro publicly campaigned for Umahi during the 2023 elections, while Reinforced Global Resources had previously received contracts under Umahi’s administration as governor of Ebonyi State. The company began receiving federal payments from the Ministry of Works in April 2024, about eight months after Umahi became minister.
The investigation identified N30.06 billion in payments for the Enugu-Abakaliki-Ogoja Road project, N15.72 billion for the Ugep-Abaomoge-Opkosi Road and N8.34 billion for a flyover bridge at Eke Obinagu Junction, among other projects.
BusinessDay reported that the Ministry of Works and Reinforced Global Resources did not respond to requests for comment before publication.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, HEDA said the findings warranted scrutiny, particularly reports of political and business links between the company’s Managing Director, Joshua Okoro, and the Minister of Works, David Umahi.
HEDA also raised concerns over reported procurement issues, including advance payments linked to the Enugu-Abakaliki-Ogoja Road project and questions about disclosure of relationships in public procurement.
BusinessDay reported that about 42 per cent of the project value was released through advance payments in quick succession. The investigation also cited provisions of the Public Procurement Act relating to advance payments and disclosure of relationships involving contractors and public officials.
Suraju said the reported transactions should be subjected to independent scrutiny rather than treated solely as a political controversy.
“Where billions of naira in public funds are involved, Nigerians are entitled to know whether the procurement process was transparent, competitive and compliant with the law,” he said.
He called on anti-corruption and law-enforcement agencies to investigate the award, execution and payments associated with the contracts and determine whether any laws or financial regulations were breached.
“We therefore call on the appropriate anti-corruption and law-enforcement agencies to urgently investigate the award, execution and payments associated with these contracts and establish whether any laws or financial regulations were breached,” Suraju said.
HEDA urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and other relevant institutions to examine the procurement and payment records.
The group also called for scrutiny of procurement documents, contract-award processes, payment records, project completion certificates, beneficial ownership information and conflict-of-interest disclosures.
Suraju stressed that any investigation should be guided by due process and that accountability should apply regardless of political affiliation or status.
“HEDA emphasises that an allegation is not a conviction. However, if an investigation establishes wrongdoing, anyone found culpable should face the appropriate legal consequences, irrespective of political party, office, influence or connections,” he said.
HEDA said an independent and transparent review of the contracts would help clarify the circumstances surrounding the payments, protect public resources and strengthen accountability in Nigeria’s public procurement system.
