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EXCLUSIVE: Ebonyi Governor Nwifuru Awards N3.1Billion Contracts To Wife’s Brother Via Newly Registered Company, Two Contracts Bypassed Competitive Bidding

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Between July 2024 and May 2025, the newly registered firm secured three separate contracts totalling over N3 billion from the state government.

An investigation by SaharaReporters has uncovered that Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, awarded contracts worth N3.1 billion to his brother-in-law, Nwode Chidi Henry, through a company registered a little over two years ago.

The company, HC Carter Ventures Ltd, was incorporated with the Corporate Affairs Commission on April 25, 2023, just a month before the end of the previous administration in Ebonyi State.

 

Between July 2024 and May 2025, the newly registered firm secured three separate contracts totalling over N3 billion from the state government.

One of the contracts, awarded on July 25, 2024, was valued at N400 million and involved the construction of a two-kilometre stretch of road from Ngamgbo Elom Note to Onu UIO Akpu Junction in the Mkpoke community, Ikwo Local Government Area.

On October 7, 2024, HC Carter Ventures was awarded a contract valued at N172 million for the construction of a 12-classroom storey building at Community Secondary School, Ojiegbe Nkaliki.

 

Further records reveal that on May 6, 2025, the company received another contract worth N2.541 billion for the construction of a 5,000-meter concrete rigid pavement (Phase 2) along the TTC–Iboko Road in Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

 

Altogether, the three contracts awarded to HC Carter Ventures within two years of its registration total N3.113 billion.

 

A SaharaReporters review of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) database shows that the person with significant control of the company is Nwode Chidi Henry, whose listed address is located within government quarters in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.

Further investigation using network analysis confirms that Nwode is the younger brother of Ebonyi State First Lady, Mary-Maudline Nwifuru.

 

On February 23, Mary-Maudline celebrated Nwode’s birthday in a post on her Instagram page, which has 6,139 followers. In her message, she described him as her “kid brother,” writing: “Cheers to a fantastic year ahead. Best wishes from your big sister and lots of love from my family.”

In a Facebook post published in December 2024, the lawmaker representing Ebonyi North East constituency in the State House of Assembly, Chinyere Nwogbaga, stated that she attended the wedding ceremony of “Mr. Henry Chidi Nwode — younger brother to Her Excellency, wife of the Governor of Ebonyi State.”

 

Further examination of records from the Ebonyi State Open Contracting Portal reveals that two of the three contracts awarded to Mr. Nwode’s company, HC Carter Ventures Ltd, were executed through a non-competitive process, with the company listed as the sole bidder. These two contracts were collectively valued at N572 million.

Only the third contract, awarded at a much higher sum of N2.541 billion, reportedly involved two additional contenders.

This process raises questions of compliance, as Section 21 of the Ebonyi State Public Procurement Law (2020) mandates that contracts be awarded through open competitive bidding “in a manner which is transparent, timely and equitable for ensuring accountability.”

 

It further states that contracts should be awarded in a manner that promotes “competition, economy and efficiency.”

 

SaharaReporters also conducted a digital footprint analysis of HC Carter Ventures but found no trace of the company online. The firm has no known website, and similar names found during the search were linked to entities registered in foreign countries.

 

Searches on major social media platforms — including Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram — also returned no results associated with the company.

 

At the time of filing this report, HC Carter Ventures was listed as inactive on the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) portal.

When contacted for comments, Ebonyi State Commissioner for Information, Jude Okpor, told SaharaReporters there was nothing improper about awarding contracts to the First Lady’s younger brother.

 

“There is nothing wrong with the younger brother of the first lady getting contracts; he is a citizen of Nigeria. Ebonyi has been given a clean bill of health by reputable organisations for its procurement methods,” he told SaharaReporters.

 

He further argued that the processes of awarding contracts deployed by the state are transparent.

 

“We do e-procurement and it is transparent,” he said.

 

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Abia Unveils State-Owned Electric Bus Transport Scheme

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The Abia State Government has announced plans to roll out a state-owned electric bus transport scheme, marking a major step toward modern, clean and efficient public transportation in the state.

The initiative, part of the government’s broader urban renewal and green mobility agenda, is designed to ease traffic congestion, reduce transportation costs for residents, and cut carbon emissions. The electric buses will operate on key routes across major cities, including Umuahia and Aba, offering commuters a safer, quieter and more comfortable travel experience.

Governor Alex Otti has emphasized that the project reflects the administration’s commitment to sustainable development and improved quality of life for Abia residents. According to the government, a number of electric buses have already been procured, while supporting infrastructure such as charging stations and modern bus terminals is being developed to ensure smooth operations.

Beyond environmental benefits, the scheme is expected to create jobs, improve urban mobility, and set a new standard for public transportation management in the state. Officials say the buses will be professionally managed under a state-owned structure to ensure efficiency, affordability and long-term sustainability.

With this move, Abia State joins a growing number of forward-looking governments embracing clean energy solutions, reinforcing its position as a state committed to innovation, environmental responsibility and people centred governance.

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NIGERIA POLICE FORCE ANNOUNCES RESUMPTION OF ENFORCEMENT OF TINTED GLASS PERMIT

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The Nigeria Police Force wishes to inform the general public of the planned resumption of the enforcement of Tinted Glass Permit policy pending the final determination of the matter currently before the court. This decision follows a careful review of emerging security concerns and the need to ensure the safety of all citizens.

It is important to clarify that at no point did the court restrain the Nigeria Police Force from enforcing the provisions of the law regarding the use of tinted glass on vehicles. Nonetheless, in the spirit of responsibility, transparency, and public convenience, the Force suspended enforcement to allow motorists ample opportunity to regularise their documentation and complete the registration process without pressure.

Recent trends, however, reveal a disturbing rise in criminal activities perpetrated with the aid of vehicles fitted with unauthorised tinted glass. Some individuals and organised criminal groups have exploited this gap to conceal their identities and facilitate crimes ranging from armed robbery to kidnapping and other violent crimes. In view of this, the Nigeria Police Force has found it both necessary and urgent to resume full enforcement as a proactive measure to safeguard our communities. Consequently, enforcement of Tinted Glass Permit will resume on 2nd January, 2026.

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM, assures the public that the renewed enforcement will be carried out with utmost professionalism, respect for the rights of citizens, and in accordance with extant laws. He adds that the Force remains committed to promoting public safety and upholding the rule of law while working collaboratively with all stakeholders to keep Nigeria secure.

Meanwhile, motorists who require the Tinted Glass Permit are encouraged to apply through the approved channels and ensure that their vehicles comply with legal procedures.

CSP FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER,
FORCE HEADQUARTERS,
ABUJA.

15th December, 2025

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Bianca Ojukwu’s Daughter Joins Her Mother at the ECOWAS Council of Ministers Session in South Africa

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Following a recent post by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu, on her official Instagram account on Monday, 15th December, 2025, the minister shared a noteworthy moment from the ECOWAS 95th Session of the Council of Ministers held in South Africa.

In the post, Ambassador Ojukwu revealed that her daughter, Chi, who works with UN Tourism, accompanied her to the high-level regional meeting to gain firsthand insight into the demands of diplomatic service. According to the minister, the experience offered her daughter a clearer understanding of the intensity and dedication required in her role as Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs.

She explained that the council’s deliberations often stretched late into the night, sometimes well past midnight, with long hours spent in the conference hall and sustained by endless cups of tea. The demanding schedule, she noted, was far more intense than her daughter had anticipated

The post has since drawn reactions from followers, many of whom praised Ambassador Ojukwu for mentoring the next generation through exposure to international diplomacy and commended her commitment to regional cooperation and public service within ECOWAS.

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