Secrets Reporters
In a what can be described as a clear case of cronyism, investigations by this online media have revealed how the Ebonyi State government under the steering of Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru awarded a massive contract worth over a billion Naira to a company owned by his close relations.
We gathered from the Ebonyi State procurement portal that the project promises to pave the 4.75-kilometer Offerekpe–Nwofoke–Aruvu–Iziogo road in Izzi Local Government Area of the State.
The contract, officially awarded on October 22, 2025, went to Angel of Wonders Nig Ltd, a firm founded by Innocent Omerumba Nwifuru and Nwabueze Nwofoke Nwifuru, both known to be related to the governor.
Pegged at ₦1,665,117,080, the contract was signed on 27th October, 2025 and the procurement entity is the Ministry of Works and Transport, documents reveal.
According to the contract details, three companies vied for the road contract: Angel of Wonders Nig Ltd, Krisclev Concept Nig Ltd, and Tonycelle Nig Ltd. Despite this competitive field, the prize was handed to the governor’s kin.
Public records have it that Angel of Wonders Nig Ltd was incorporated in Abakaliki on May 17, 2018, with Registration Number 1495561. Its registered office is listed as “No Shope 94 Building Material.” Public records show the company’s current operational status is unknown, adding another layer of suspicion to the high-stakes contract award.
In another eyebrow raising twist to the development, official records have it that Angel of Wonders Nig Ltd was floated for “Import and Export of General Goods,” denoting that the contract is a clear deviation from its mandate.
The Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) has long warned that “A public office holder shall not put himself in a position where his personal interest conflicts with his duties and responsibilities.”
“When public service turns into a family business, the people always pay the price,” lamented one activist, decrying the entrenchment of nepotism and favoritism in government, where personal loyalty often trumps competence and the citizenry bears the brunt of mismanagement.
Legal experts note that contracts awarded under such circumstances often face public outcry and potential investigation. “Even the perception of conflict of interest can erode public trust,” said a Lagos-based governance lawyer. “The law is clear: public officers must avoid any semblance of personal gain from state resources.”