Abia State Governor Alex Otti is under public scrutiny after confirming he awarded a multi-million Naira contract to Ken Ahia, SAN & Associates, a law firm owned by his political ally and friend, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Kenneth Ahia. Ahia, a prominent supporter of Otti, had previously donated buses for Otti’s 2023 gubernatorial campaign and also represented the governor in an election tribunal.
According to official documents reviewed by SaharaReporters, the Abia government enlisted Ahia’s firm to negotiate and draft a contract for the reconstruction of Port Harcourt Road in Aba, a vital project for the state. The Ministry of Justice initially requested N60 million for the contract, though the final payment was reportedly reduced to N50 million after further negotiations. The Ministry’s correspondence justified the high fee due to the contract’s complexity, which required specialized legal expertise to secure favorable terms.
The governor, speaking through his media adviser Ferdinand Ekeoma, explained on Aba’s Magic FM that the Ministry of Justice lacks a Senior Advocate capable of handling this contract. Ekeoma argued that certain technical tasks require experienced advocates like Ahia, noting that Ahia’s services were not exclusive to Abia and have been sought by other clients across Nigeria.
In response to questions over possible favoritism or conflict of interest, Ekeoma stated, “It’s not fake; he was paid,” and insisted that the arrangement was lawful, with all documents available for public review. The governor’s supporters argue that the selection was driven by the firm’s expertise, not personal ties.
However, critics are questioning why the governor bypassed in-house legal resources and opted to award the contract to a private firm owned by a close ally. Some residents have raised concerns over the transparency of the procurement process, citing that competitive bidding is required by Nigeria’s procurement laws. “Does the governor have the statutory power to unilaterally award such a contract without following due process?” a concerned resident asked.
The issue has sparked widespread debate in Abia, with some calling for an investigation into the decision, especially given Ahia’s close personal ties to the governor and contributions to his campaign. Residents are also questioning how many other projects might have been outsourced similarly and whether there was budgetary provision for this expenditure.
As the debate continues, many are calling on Governor Otti to ensure that future contracts follow rigorous procurement processes to maintain public trust and avoid any potential conflicts of interest.
Gov Alex Oti of Abia State
