Part 2: Hacked BSN Sports Website Restored Hours After Damning Stadium Report Exposes N1. 7 Billion Uncompleted Project In Benue

Part 2: Hacked BSN Sports Website Restored Hours After Damning Stadium Report Exposes N1. 7 Billion Uncompleted Project In Benue

By BSN Sports Special Investigation Desk

Just hours after publishing an explosive investigative report exposing the underwhelming state of the ₦1.7 billion Aper Aku Stadium project, BSN Sports’ website was forcefully taken offline in what cyber-security experts are calling a deliberate and sophisticated attack. The timing of the breach, which occurred shortly after the report went viral, has raised serious questions about the length some actors may go to suppress facts and bury accountability.

On Thursday 24th April, 2025, BSN Sports investigation revealed that despite the release of over ₦1.3 Billion to Monimichelle Sports Facility Construction Ltd, - the contractor handling the stadium renovation, - major components of the project remain glaringly unfulfilled. A site visit (on Friday, April 11, 2025) confirmed that the pitch remains unturfed, the scoreboard is missing, floodlights are absent, the tartan track is non-existent, and no working sprinkler system. These are items clearly listed and fully paid for captured in SLOT 1 and SLOTS 2 of the contract totalling over N1.3 Billion.

Official payment records and internal government correspondences reviewed by BSN Sports Nigeria reveal a disturbing gap between the public funds disbursed and the work delivered. By all available evidences, the stadium which should be nearing completion still looks like a project in its infancy.

Critically, contract documents reviewed by this newspaper specify a completion period of just 62 days from the commencement date (September, 2024). Yet, more than four months later from the initial hand-over date, the site remains under-delivered.

In a correspondence dated December 23, 2024, Monimichelle requested approval for an additional work value of ₦2,071,151,973 citing unforeseen circumstances during the renovation.

The Benue State Government, in a reply dated January 3, 2025, acknowledged receipt, turned down expansion of the scope of the job and firmly reminded the company that; "This contract was awarded to you on specific terms as detailed in its agreement and vividly captured in the Bill of Quantities. We reiterate that the contract was awarded on 14th August, 2024, with a two-month duration for completion."

The letter further emphasized that the government had fulfilled its financial obligations having paid ₦1,339,207,983.83 based on valuation certificates raised. It clearly advised Monimichelle to expedite action to complete the project according to the contract specifications.

Separately, an Architect's Instruction dated January 14, 2025, outlined additional renovation expectations but stressed compliance with the original contract terms.

Yet, on February 7, 2025, Monimichelle wrote another letter addressed to His Excellency, the Governor of Benue State, requesting a contract extension. In the letter, the company cited delays in mobilization and further payment affecting import-based elements such as turf, tracks, and the scoreboard.

Monimichelle in the letter specifically promised that the construction company will deliver in March, 2025. It reads; "However, the Pitch, Sprinkler System, Wet Rooms, and few other amenities to enable the return of Lobi Stars Football Club to her fortress will be completed in March, 2025.”

Despite this assurance, as at 26th April 2025, none of these milestones has been achieved and Lobi Stars FC remains unable to return to the Aper Aku Stadium as promised.

Furthermore, in a letter dated 24th April, 2025 written to BSN Sports by the company's lawyer, it was said that all products ordered have arrived at Port in Lagos and awaiting clearance, it reads; it's on record that the delays in project delivery stemmed largely from logistical contraints arising from delayed access to imported materials due to bureaucratic bottlenecks."

 In a contradictory message, during exchange of chats between BSN Sports and CEO of the company, Ebi Egbe wrote: "Nothing has been abandoned, our importation elements have started arriving Nigerian ports." The question in the lips of the public is; Has the imported good arrived the port or they are about to arrive in Lagos Port after second payment was made in November, 2024?

Findings from further investigations reveal that internal compromises may have contributed to the delay. A highly placed source who requested anonymity confided that certain insiders within the government establishment may have been aiding and abetting the slow pace of work. According to the source, this interference partly explains why valuation certificates were issued for works not yet completed contrary to the express terms of the contract.

Nevertheless, it is important to note that the Benue State Government under the leadership of His Excellency Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia has consistently demonstrated commitment to the timely delivery of the project. The government has fulfilled its payment obligations and provided the necessary support to the contractor to enable swift project completion.

Meanwhile, shortly after BSN’s report exposing these discrepancies was published, the organization's digital infrastructure came under a coordinated cyberattack.

Findings from cybersecurity analysts revealed that the attack was orchestrated by different hackers who battled with the BSN Sports site for several hours before finally succeeding in taking it offline.

This marked the first time in BSN’s history that it faced such a high-level multi-pronged cyber assault.

Efforts to regain control required intensive cybersecurity intervention and after hours of work, the BSN Sports website was successfully restored.

Independent analysts described the breach as a targeted move likely aimed at disabling access to the exposé and intimidating the platform behind it.

In a development that raised further suspicion, Ebi Egbe, CEO of Monimichelle, forwarded a screenshot of the disabled BSN website to the publisher asking: "Why is your website down?"

He later sent another message: “You are not a nice person. I have told you guys, we are organically made, none of you people can bring me down. The damage has been done already. I wish you all the best. Never join people to defame an innocent company.”

The sequence and tone of these messages have only deepened public concerns about possible foreknowledge of the cyberattack.

As if the digital sabotage was not enough, Monimichelle, through their legal representatives, forwarded a formal letter to BSN Sports expressing concerns over the report. However, the letter did not challenge the facts of the story nor did it contest the documents and photographs cited as evidence.

As Public outrage continues to swell, Civil society organizations are demanding a full audit of the project and accountability for the handling of public funds. This situation has evolved into a major test of transparency and governance in Nigeria.

Despite the breach, the threats, and mounting pressure, BSN Sports stands firmly by its report. Every fact published is backed by verifiable government documents, project inspections, and official correspondences.

No threats will alter the facts.

No cyberattacks will bury the truth.

And no distractions will shake the public's right to know.

For the people of Benue and indeed for every Nigerian, this is about more than just a stadium.

It is about trust, justice, and responsible leadership.

The facts are clear.

The public deserves answers.

And BSN will not be silenced.