By Suleiman Adamu, Sokoto
A Chattered Accounting firm with head office in Abuja and branches in Sokoto and Kano states, Sani Muhammad & Co has taken Sokoto State government to Court over its unpaid 20 percent of the 8.8billion naira recovered for the State government after painstakingly carrying out audit taxes of all federal MDAs in the State.
The accounting firm was engaged by the Sokoto State government in a letter of appointment dated 19/7/2017 and duly signed by the then commissioner of Finance, Saidu Umar to audit taxes of all federal MDAs in Sokoto State.
However, the appointment letter reads in part “, Your consideration fee will be 20% of any amount recovered or generated through your efforts, while the State has approved a commitment fee as requested in your proposal”.
After swinging into action, the firm course of its services, was said to have recovered eight billion, eight hundred million naira (8.8bn) from the federal MDAs which was paid into the State Government account in May, 2019.
Following the recovery of 8.8bn, Sani Muhammad & Co’s 20 percent was supposed to be one billion, seven hundred and sixty million naira only (1,760 000,000.00) as agreed.
But regrettably, Sokoto State government refused honour its part of the agreement reached, rather, only paid fifty million naira (50,000,000.00) to the accounting firm.
This, prompted the firm to write a final reminder to the State government on 4/9/2019.
However, disturbed and angered by the State government silence without any response, the Accounting firm decided to approach the Court on 19/11/2020 in a suit no, SS/ 618/2020 to demand for its payment.
The State government however, through the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, alternatively sought for an out of court settlement.
Presiding over the case, Justice M.U Dogon Daji of the State High Court 3, dispassionately frowned with concern that the case has had 4 adjournments in series since 21/1/2021 hence awarding a hundred thousand naira (100,000.00) against Sokoto State government (respondent) before adjourning to 16/9/2021 for definite hearing.
