The Benue State Government has directed Monimichelle Sports Facility Construction Company to resume renovation work on the Aper Aku Stadium in Makurdi, despite a resolution by the State House of Assembly recommending the termination of the contract.
This decision follows a recent investigation by the Assembly’s committee, which accused the contractor, Ebi Egbe, of breaching contract terms and failing to deliver on critical aspects of the ₦1.7 billion project. The committee had called for the contract to be cancelled, a petition to be sent to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and legal action to be taken.
BSN Sports had earlier reported that Monimichelle had received over ₦1.3 billion—approximately 80 percent of the total contract sum—yet significant elements of the project remained incomplete. As of April 2025, the pitch had not been laid, there was no tartan track, floodlights and a scoreboard were missing, and goalposts were yet to be installed.
A senior government official, speaking anonymously to BSN Sports, confirmed the state executive’s decision to retain Monimichelle. The company has now been instructed to continue work and deliver the remaining aspects of the project with the balance 20 percent of the payment.
“The state government has overturned the decision of the State House Committee and asked Monimichelle to resume work on the rehabilitation of Aper Aku Stadium with the balance payment to be completed,” the source revealed.
The move has triggered renewed concerns over transparency and accountability in the handling of public contracts in Benue State, particularly given the funds already disbursed and the current state of the stadium.
All eyes are now on Monimichelle to see whether it can fulfil its obligations and finally deliver the long-overdue upgrade to one of Benue’s most important sporting landmarks.
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