Governor Nwifuru Grants Multi-Billion Naira Contracts to First Lady’s Brother Without Competitive Bidding
By SpringNewsNG Media LimitedPublished: May 27, 2025
An investigation has uncovered that Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru of Ebonyi State awarded state contracts worth N3.1 billion to HC Carter Ventures Ltd, a company owned by Nwode Chidi Henry, the younger brother of his wife, Mary-Maudline Nwifuru.
Key Findings:
- Newly Registered Company Linked to First Lady’s Brother
HC Carter Ventures Ltd was registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) on April 25, 2023—barely a month before the end of the previous administration. Within less than two years, the company secured three major government contracts totaling N3.113 billion. - Timeline and Value of Contracts Awarded:
July 25, 2024: N400 million – Construction of a 2km road in Ikwo LGA.
October 7, 2024: N172 million – 12-classroom storey building at Ojiegbe Nkaliki.
May 6, 2025: N2.541 billion – 5,000-meter rigid pavement on TTC–Iboko Road in Izzi LGA.
- Conflict of Interest and Non-Competitive Awards
Data from the Ebonyi State Open Contracting Portal shows that two of the three contracts—worth N572 million—were awarded without competitive bidding, with HC Carter Ventures listed as the sole bidder. - Evidence of Familial Connection
Instagram and Facebook posts by First Lady Mary-Maudline Nwifuru publicly acknowledge Nwode Chidi Henry as her younger brother.
A state lawmaker also confirmed his relationship to the First Lady in a December 2024 Facebook post.
- No Online Footprint or Public Records of the Company
Searches across social media and business directories returned no relevant information about HC Carter Ventures, and the company is currently marked inactive on the CAC portal.
Legal and Ethical Concerns
According to Section 21 of the Ebonyi State Public Procurement Law (2020), all public procurement must be conducted through transparent and competitive bidding to ensure fairness and value for money. The bypass of these procedures in two contracts raises concerns about due process and accountability.
Government Response
Ebonyi State Commissioner for Information, Jude Okpor, defended the contracts, saying:
“There is nothing wrong with the younger brother of the First Lady getting contracts; he is a Nigerian citizen. Ebonyi has been commended for its procurement processes.”
He also claimed the state follows a transparent e-procurement system.
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Ebonyi State Governor Nwifuru awarded N3.1 billion in contracts to his wife’s brother through a new company, raising concerns about transparency and procurement law violations.
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