Barely 24 hours after the Abia State Government announced a favourable arbitral award in the dispute over the Enyimba Economic City (EEC) project, the Center for Human Rights Advocacy and Wholesome Society (CEHRAWS) has called for a comprehensive audit of the state’s public-private partnership (PPP) agreements and the public release of the full judgement.
The Centre for Human Rights Advocacy and Wholesome Society (CEHRAWS), in a press statement signed by its Executive Director, Okoye Chuka Peter, on Tuesday, commended the administration of Governor Alex Otti for successfully defending the state against what it described as “substantial monetary claims” reportedly running into “tens or hundreds of millions of United States dollars.”
While acknowledging that avoiding such a massive liability is a “significant protection of public finances.”
CEHRAWS has raised critical governance questions regarding the origins of the 2017 agreement and the path forward, demanding transparency and institutional reforms.
Questions Over Due Diligence
The dispute arose from a 2017 Public Private Partnership Agreement (PPPA) between the state government and the project promoters, Enyimba Industrial Development Company Limited and Crown Realties Plc.
The arbitral tribunal not only rejected the promoters’ claims but also ordered them to refund ₦400 million to the state.
The tribunal described as “money had and received for no consideration.”
However, CEHRAWS has seized on the ruling to probe the circumstances under which the initial agreement was signed.
The group is questioning what due diligence processes were undertaken before committing public funds.
Whether feasibility studies were independently verified, and if the agreement complied with extant procurement, PPP, and fiscal responsibility laws at the time.
Furthermore, it raises whether the Abia State House of Assembly properly engaged in oversight, consistent with constitutional appropriation powers.
CEHRAWS stressed that while the tribunal found the promoters in fundamental breach.
The citizens of Abia are entitled to know whether “institutional safeguards were weak at inception and how similar vulnerabilities will be prevented going forward.”
From ‘Award Granted’ to ‘Funds Recovered’
The organisation also shifted focus to the practical enforcement of the award, particularly the recovery of the ₦400 million.
It noted that an arbitral award is not self-executing and demanded clarity on the next steps.
The group poses key questions: Has enforcement commenced? What timeline exists for fund recovery? Will you pursue accrued interest?
It also asked what enforcement mechanisms are in place should the promoters resist compliance.
Urging the government to shift its public communication from “award granted” to “funds recovered.”
Call for Transparency and the P&ID Lesson
Drawing a parallel with the infamous Process & Industrial Developments (P&ID) arbitration against Nigeria.
CEHRAWS warns that the lesson from that national embarrassment goes beyond merely overturning a bad award.
But that “contracts must be properly structured, vetted, and supervised from inception.”
CEHRAWS calls for full publication of the arbitral award for public scrutiny, subject to legitimate confidentiality constraints.
It is also demanding transparency on the total legal costs incurred by Abia State in defending the arbitration, including the cost of any external counsel retained.
“Transparency strengthens confidence. Selective disclosure weakens it,” the statement added.
Blueprint for Institutional Reform
Beyond the immediate case, CEHRAWS has proposed a sweeping review of the state’s contractual processes.
Its recommendations include a comprehensive audit of all existing PPP agreements entered into by Abia State.
Finally, it proposes the mandatory public disclosure of major PPP agreements that exceed a specified financial threshold.
Public Interest Foremost
The group reaffirms support for lawful investment and industrialization but insists due process remains essential, never sacrificed for development.
“Industrial development remains critical to Abia’s economic future.
However, development without due process becomes fiscal exposure.
Partnerships without transparency become public risk,” the statement read.”
True victory lies not merely in winning disputes, but in building institutions that prevent avoidable disputes in the first place.”
CEHRAWS vows to monitor refund order enforcement closely and push for stronger PPP governance frameworks across the state.
