Nigeria, June 17 -- On a sunny Thursday afternoon in June in Uyo, silence hung over the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly complex, which ought to be under rehabilitation.

The legislative headquarters of one of Nigeria's richest oil-producing states, with a revenue of N2.53 trillion in 32 months, should have been buzzing with engineers, artisans and construction workers.

Instead, only eight security personnel were visible inside the sprawling premises.

There were no labourers, masons, welders, carpenters, engineers and no sounds of construction.

At the entrance gate, a notice informed visitors that both the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly and the Akwa Ibom House of Assembly Service Commission had temporarily relocated their offices t...