The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has commenced an investigation into alleged irregularities surrounding the award of contracts worth more than ₦100 billion for the construction of additional technical colleges in Benue State.
The investigation reportedly followed petitions submitted by more than 60 contractors who claimed they were defrauded after investing their personal funds in the projects.
The EFCC has reportedly interrogated four senior Benue State government officials over the alleged contract irregularities.
Those questioned include the former Commissioner for Education and Knowledge Management, Rev. Frederick Ikyaan, who currently serves as Commissioner for Lands, Survey and Solid Minerals.
Others are the incumbent Commissioner for Education, Mrs Margaret Adamu; the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Timothy Ornguga; and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Mrs Helen Nambativ.
According to an EFCC source, the contracts were allegedly awarded in 2025 without the approval of Governor Hyacinth Alia.
The source alleged that an individual identified as Lawrence Kyaku, who reportedly presented himself as a Senior Special Assistant to the governor, persuaded contractors to commence work, claiming that the projects had received government approval.
Kyaku was also accused of collecting large sums of money from some contractors under the pretext of facilitating the projects, including more than ₦100 million from one contractor and ₦50 million from another.
The contractors reportedly began raising concerns after encountering difficulties obtaining payment for work already executed, prompting them to petition the anti-graft agency.
The EFCC is also investigating an alleged letter signed by the Attorney-General, Prof. Ornguga, directing contractors to pay one per cent of their contract values into a designated bank account as vetting fees.
The source said the letter and accompanying bank details strengthened the contractors' belief that the projects were legitimate government contracts.
The commission is now examining the roles played by the government officials and other individuals involved, particularly whether due procedures and necessary approvals were obtained before the contracts were awarded.
Investigators are also working to establish the total amount collected from the contractors and determine whether any official government approval existed for the projects.
However, the EFCC has yet to establish the full extent of the alleged financial transactions, as investigations remain ongoing.
Meanwhile, the affected government officials had not publicly responded to the allegations as of the time of filing this report.
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