Aniagboso Michael, a real estate developer and promoter of Jesus Bu Eze Plaza, has responded to allegations circulating on social media that he is playing the victim to damage the reputation of Mr. Tochukwu Nzekwe, Chairman of Toshel Company, and to avoid contractual obligations.
In this interview, with EverydayNewsNGR Aniagboso gives his account of the events surrounding the construction of the plaza located along Kano Street, Coal Camp, Enugu State.
Q: There are allegations that you are playing the victim to avoid fulfilling your obligations to the contractor. How do you respond?
Those allegations are completely false. I am not playing any victim card—there is no “victim card” here. The simple truth is that the contractor, Mr. Tochukwu Nzekwe, failed to execute the job he was contracted to do.
This is not about sentiments or social media narratives; it is about facts and contractual performance.
We signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in which both parties agreed that his company would fund and execute the entire asphalting project, valued at ₦118 million, covering approximately 5,500 square metres of the plaza.
Q: Can you explain the scope of the project and the agreement entered into?
The project covered about 5,500 square metres along Kano Street, Coal Camp. The agreement included construction of access roads, asphalt work, and the entire internal road network, including Silversmith Road.
The Bill of Quantities (BOQ) was prepared by his own engineers, reviewed by both parties, and mutually agreed upon. The total contract sum was ₦118 million, with a completion period of three months.
He undertook to handle everything—from clearing and laterite filling to asphalt work and landscaping.
Q: What went wrong during execution of the project?
After the three-month period elapsed, the project was nowhere near completion. One of the major problems was the use of obsolete and inadequate equipment—bulldozers, graders, and trucks that frequently broke down.
Materials would be brought to site, but work would stall for weeks. These delays seriously disrupted the project timeline. We held several site meetings and issued formal notices pointing out his failure to meet contractual obligations.
Despite repeatedly boasting that he had sufficient funds and equipment, the work did not progress. There were also constant disputes with his workers, drivers, and machine operators, which further slowed down the project.
Q: Was the project eventually completed?
Yes, but not by him. The project was originally scheduled for commissioning within three months. However, due to the contractor’s failure, I had to mobilise my own resources, lease equipment from other operators, and complete the remaining work myself.
The plaza was eventually commissioned on 4 March 2024 by the Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, who was represented by his deputy, Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai.
Q: Despite this, the contractor is said to be demanding full payment. What is your response?
That demand is unjustified. An independent assessment confirmed that he completed only about 10% of the total work.
Based on that assessment, we paid him ₦27.5 million, which was proportional to the work actually done. He demanded payment for 15%, but that entitlement was conditional upon full completion of the project. Since the job was abandoned, that condition was never met.
Instead, he allegedly began blocking the entrance to the plaza with heavy equipment and issuing threats.
Q: There are claims of police involvement and intimidation. What exactly happened?
Rather than resolving the matter professionally, he reportedly came to the site with police officers and other security personnel, instructing workers to stop work unless he was paid in full.
He reportedly took me to the police station, the DSS, and the EFCC. Subsequently, I experienced repeated harassment, including the presence of thugs at the site, intimidation of workers, vandalism of parts of the plaza, and threats to my personal safety.
Q: Did you seek legal redress?
Yes. I approached the court and filed a suit seeking an injunction to restrain him from further interference with the plaza. By that time, shops had already been sold and business activities were ongoing.
The court issued a statutory order recognising that M & B Company had taken possession of the plaza and that operations were ongoing under the Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) agreement, which is for 25 years.
At the time, there were about 250 shops and 32 functional toilets in operation. Despite the court process, he allegedly continued to return to the site, boasting of influence and connections.
Q: What is the nature of the BOT agreement and the contractor’s role?
The BOT agreement was entered into with Enugu North Local Government for a period of 25 years. Mr. Tochukwu Nzekwe and his company have no contractual relationship with the local government.
I brought him in solely as a contractor to execute the asphalting project using his own funds, estimated at ₦118 million—as clearly stated in the agreement already tendered in court.
Under the BOT arrangement, the local government is entitled to 30% of revenue, while my company retains 70%. The contractor’s 15% entitlement was conditional upon full completion of the project and was to come from my own share of the revenue generated from park operations and gate tolls.
Q: You have raised serious concerns about your safety. Can you explain?
My greatest fear is that the Chairman of Enugu North Local Government, Hon. Ibenaku Onoh, has allegedly connived with the contractor to forcefully take over the plaza.
I have been barred from accessing a property I developed with my hard-earned money. I have received threats, including claims that my children’s movements are being monitored. Because of this, I have gone into hiding and no longer move freely within Enugu.
I allege that the plaza has been taken over, handed to individuals loyal to the local government, and revenue has been collected for months without reference to me, the developer.
Q: What is your appeal to the government?
I am appealing directly to the Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, to urgently intervene. I have always supported this administration and remain committed to its success.
If the local government doesn’t want to respect the MOU because of perceived personal interest of the chairman, it’s better the Enugu State Government assume full control of its management, ensure transparency, respect the BOT agreement, and allow me to recover my investment.
I am under severe financial pressure from creditors and cannot withstand further intimidation. My life and the lives of my family members are at risk. I am pleading for urgent intervention before the situation escalates further.
