An investigation by SaharaReporters has revealed that Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru allegedly awarded contracts worth over ₦3 billion to two companies owned by his brother, Simeon Nwifuru, both of which were registered within just 10 days in February 2024.
Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) records show that Best Celeco Construction Company was incorporated on February 8, 2024, while Celeco Plaza Limited was registered on February 18, 2024. Both firms share the same address at No. 1, Achi Street, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, and list Simeon Nwifuru as their owner.
The two companies reportedly secured similar contracts at the ICT University, Oferekpe, in what appears to be a case of contract splitting. In March 2025, Celeco Plaza was awarded a ₦1.542 billion contract for a three-storey student hostel, while Best Celeco Construction received a separate ₦1.287 billion contract for a similar hostel project. Both tenders were released on August 29, 2024 — about six months after the firms’ registration.
Best Celeco Construction also won a ₦172 million contract on October 7, 2024, for a 12-classroom building at Girls High School, Azuiyiokwu, Abakaliki. The tender for this project was issued just 13 days after the company’s registration.
Between February 2024 and March 2025, the two firms reportedly received contracts totaling ₦3.001 billion. Questions remain over how these newly registered companies met the technical experience requirements for such major projects.
This revelation follows an earlier SaharaReporters investigation showing that another politically connected company — HC Carter Ventures Ltd, owned by Nwode Chidi Henry, the younger brother of First Lady Mary-Maudline Nwifuru — was awarded three state contracts worth ₦3.113 billion within two years of its registration in April 2023.
The latest findings raise concerns about potential conflicts of interest, procurement irregularities, and the possible violation of public procurement laws in Ebonyi State.
