The payments, totaling approximately ₦10.5 billion, were approved and released on September 12, 2025, according to financial records reviewed by SaharaReporters.
Documents obtained by SaharaReporters from a source inside the Rivers State Government House have revealed that at least 26 lawmakers aligned with former Governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike received ₦350 million each in September 2025 for constituency projects during the period of emergency rule in Rivers State.
Yet none of the projects have been implemented in their respective constituencies, government sources told SaharaReporters.
The payments, totaling approximately ₦10.5 billion, were approved and released on September 12, 2025, according to financial records reviewed by SaharaReporters.
The payments, totaling approximately ₦10.5 billion, were approved and released on September 12, 2025, according to financial records reviewed by SaharaReporters.
However, investigations indicate that most of the companies nominated by the lawmakers to execute the projects are either inactive, dormant, or suspected shell companies.
How the Funds Were Approved
SaharaReporters obtained a formal memo dated September 12, 2026, signed by Engr. Atemea K. Briggs, Special Adviser on Works, addressed to then Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (rtd.), requesting approval for ₦10.5 billion as constituency project funds for 30 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The memo explicitly sought ₦350 million for each lawmaker under the guise of executing constituency projects in 2025.
The document stated in part, “The purpose of this Memorandum is to seek His Excellency’s approval for the year 2025 constituency projects for thirty (30) constituency projects for thirty (30) Honourable members of the Rivers State House of Assembly at the total cost of ₦10,500,000,000.00 (Ten Billion, Five Hundred Million Naira) only, being ₦350,000,000.00 (Three Hundred and Fifty Million Naira) only per member.”
The memo claimed the funding was in response to lawmakers’ “desire to bring governance closer to their constituents,” and listed proposed projects submitted by 26 out of 30 lawmakers.
Records show that approval was granted the same day, September 12, 2025, and funds were subsequently disbursed into accounts linked to companies presented by the legislators.
Evidence of Payment
SaharaReporters reviewed a statement of account confirming that at least 26 lawmakers received ₦350 million each through their nominated contractors.
Despite this, on-site checks and local reports suggest that none of the listed constituency projects have been executed.
Sources within the government alleged that many of the beneficiary companies either do not exist physically, have no operational records, or were hastily incorporated shortly before the payment.
List of Approved Constituency Projects As Submitted
The memorandum approved on September 12, 2025 contained a detailed schedule of constituency projects and the private firms nominated by the lawmakers to execute them. SaharaReporters obtained the full list, which shows that each project was tied to a specific company presented by the affected legislators.
The projects and their designated contractors include: Abua/Odual: Building and furnishing of a cottage hospital at Emago Kugbo – Margoy Integrated Services; Akuku-Toru I: Construction of 700 meters concrete pavement road in Abonnema and Obonoma towns – Smooth Global Services Ltd; Akuku-Toru II: Construction of police quarters at Kula Community – Trust Optima Multiventures Ltd; Andoni: Ultra-modern town hall and furnishing at Ikuru Town – Skypye Link Nig. Ltd; Asari-Toru I: Construction and equipping of an ultra-modern fire service station in Buguma – Prime Construction, Maritime and Logistics Ltd;
SourceSaharaReporters
