The source said the company has turned the state-funded project into a cash cow, allegedly repeating the same pattern it employed in Kaduna State.
Residents of Gusau, Zamfara State, are groaning under severe hardship after Ronchess Global Resources Plc, a company linked to Pastor Adeboye's son, Adeolu, collected N8.7 billion from the Zamfara State Government but has allegedly failed to deliver on a critical road project.
A top source within the company told SaharaReporters that the management is deliberately stalling construction in a bid to push for contract variations that would allow it to collect even more money.
The source said the company has turned the state-funded project into a cash cow, allegedly repeating the same pattern it employed in Kaduna State.
A source inside the company confirmed the scheme, saying, "Between August 9, 2023, and January 28, 2025, Ronchess has been paid the sum of N8.7 billion by the Zamfara State Government on this project."
When asked about allegations of abandonment, the insider insisted that the company was still "working," but deliberately at a snail's pace.
"No, the project was not abandoned. The company is still working on it, but as usual, it is slow. The company is doing this on purpose, using the case of Kaduna as a template," the source said.
"After three to five years, the company is planning to apply for a variation, so that they can get more money, like they did for the Kaduna Government. That's the business model. Profit-making is even better. It's a rip-off."
SaharaReporters in July reported how over ₦16 billion in public funds were paid by the Kaduna State Government to Ronchess Global Resources Ltd for major road and flyover projects during the administration of former Governor Nasir El-Rufai, despite evidence that the company lacked the capacity, experience, and equipment to handle such contracts at the time.
Sources familiar with the transactions disclosed that the company secured the deals by leveraging close ties to Bello El-Rufai, son of former Kaduna governor Nasir El-Rufai, and Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, a former Lagos State governor.
Despite its glaring inexperience, the company was immediately paid 50% upfront. According to sources, this initial payment was what Ronchess used to buy its first construction equipment.
These contracts were later revised upwards, giving the company opportunities to increase revenue through contract variation terms with the Kaduna State Government.
Despite these developments, over 70% of these multi-billion-naira projects are yet to be completed by the company before moving to Zamfara State to get other massive projects.
The affected project, the Tankin-Ruwa Cinema Link Road in Gusau, has become a nightmare for residents.
Heavy machinery has blocked access routes, water pipelines have been damaged, and stagnant construction debris has worsened environmental conditions.
A schoolteacher in the area told SaharaReporters: "Every day our children walk through dust and broken roads just to get to school. Many have fallen sick with coughs and skin rashes. This company has turned our lives upside down."
"We hear they collected billions from the government, but look at the road. There is nothing to show. We are suffering from their greed," the school teacher added.
Angered by the prolonged suffering, a group of public interest lawyers, led by Barrister Mubashar Umar in Gusau, submitted a petition to Governor Dauda Lawal on August 19, 2025, demanding urgent action against Ronchess Global Resources.
The petition, obtained by SaharaReporters, read in part, "We, the undersigned Public Interest Lawyers, humbly write to you on behalf of the residents of Tankin-Ruwa Cinema Link Road, Gusau, and the general public, to lodge this formal petition against Ronchess Global Resources Plc. for its unreasonable and unnecessary delay in the execution of the road construction project."
The petition listed a litany of harms caused by the company's delays including: "Severe discomfort to residents and road users, particularly school children; interference with peaceful enjoyment of homes and environment; physical and psychological distress injurious to health and well-being; and obstruction of free passage by heavy machinery.
Others are "imminent water scarcity due to damage to pipelines, exposing residents to unsafe water; environmental pollution of air, land, and water; and economic hardship for shop owners and traders in the affected area."
The petitioners demanded that the Zamfara government immediately compel the company to complete the road, install drainage systems, and provide alternative water supplies to avert a looming cholera outbreak. They also urged sanctions against Ronchess for failing in its contractual obligations.
The lawyers anchored their petition on Nigeria's 1999 Constitution and other statutes, arguing that Ronchess' negligence infringed fundamental rights.
Section 33 (Right to Life), Section 34 (Dignity of the Human Person), Sections 192 & 194, Penal Code Law (prohibiting noxious atmosphere and obstruction of public ways) and Sections 7(h) & 8(1), NESREA Act 2007 (sanctions for environmental pollution) were all quoted to have been breached by the company.
"We humbly pray Your Excellency to treat this matter with urgency by compelling the Respondent to fulfill its obligations, safeguard the lives and dignity of citizens, and ensure accountability for reckless and negligent corporate conduct," the petition concluded.
All attempts by SaharaReporters to reach the company's Chief Executive Officer, Jackson Ukuevo, were unsuccessful. He ignored messages sent to his WhatsApp line and refused to answer follow-up calls seeking his response to the allegations.