The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested an Abuja-based contractor, Chinyere Achigbu, owner of Hardcore Builders Limited over his alleged failure to complete a project for which the owner had paid over 90 per cent of the contract sum.
The owner of the project, Kelechi Azuike, in a petition to the EFCC, dated July 13, 2011, accused Achigbu of misappropriating N105 million meant for the development of a block of 12 luxury apartments and a penthouse at plot 320 Cadastral Zone, Katampe Extension.
According to the petition, Achigbu was approached by Azuike in February 2010 for the construction of the said property after which the two of them agreed that a sum of N120 million would be needed to complete the project out of which the former was said to have paid N105 million.
In a statement taken from Azuike by the EFCC, a copy of which was obtained by our correspondent, the builder was required to complete all block works according to specifications from November 1, 2010 to March 10, 2011.
Azuike told the anti-graft agency that Achigbu neglected, refused and failed to deliver or complete the block works in due time and was only giving excuses.
He further alleged that despite paying N105 million to the builder, he ( Achigbu) diverted the fund for his private use even as he was said to have removed the power generating set, block moulding machines and other building materials valued at N8million from the site.
While praying that the EFCC to detain Achigbu until he makes a commitment on how and when he plans to complete the job to the level being paid for, Azuike lamented that the quality of work done so far at the site was poor and added that the sum of N65million would be required to rectify the poorly executed job and bring it up to the required standard.
“A look at the property as can be seen from the photographs shows serious cracks and a generally poor job. An independent assessment by building engineers and architects show that a total of N65million would be needed to rectify the poorly executed job and bring the project to completion up to what we have paid him for,” he said
The accused was however released after interrogation by the EFCC to one Kabala Mohammed, who it was gathered stood surety for him on September 12, 2011, the day he was arrested.
He was asked to report to the agency’s headquarters in Maitama, Abuja every week, until he makes commitment on how to complete the project or refund the money he collected for the unexecuted project.
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