• Home
  • Anti-Corruption
  • Fact-Check
  • Economy
  • National
    • Government
  • Security
  • Features
  • State
  • Event
    • PR Nigeria Award
  • E-Paper
Search
  • Home
  • About
  • Adverts
  • Contact
Sign in
Welcome! Log into your account
Forgot your password? Get help
Password recovery
Recover your password
A password will be e-mailed to you.
PRNIGERIA PRNigeria News
PRNIGERIA PRNIGERIA
  • Home
  • Anti-Corruption
    • ICPC Secures Conviction of Rector for Running Unaccredited Degree Programmes

      Engr Abba Babagana Dalori

      Engr Dalori Forfeits Galaxy Hospital, Petrol Station, Properties & Cash

      Chinese nationals jailed in Lagos

      Court Jails Nine Chinese Nationals for Cybercrime in Lagos

      ASUU

      Tackle Corruption, Institutional Decay – ASUU Charges FG

      EFCC Arraigns Bauchi Accountant General Over N8bn Fraud as Court Sentences…

  • Fact-Check
  • Economy
    • Tinubu Jets to Brazil After Japan Summit, Eyes Trade, Security Deals

      Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi (MFR), hosted the Executive Chairman of FIRS, Dr. Zacch Adedeji,

      Customs and the “National Single Window” Project

      FG Earmarks N13bn to Boost Power Infrastructure in Lagos, Ogun

      Centre for Crisis Communication, CCC,

      CCC Reviews Keyamo’s Crisis Management in Aviation Disputes

      NITDA Applauds Tech Giants for Advancing Online Safety in Nigeria

  • National
    • Delegations Arrive Abuja for Inaugural African Defence Chiefs Summit

      Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA

      Troops Neutralise 7 Bandits, Recover Motorcycles in Katsina

      PHOTOS: Finally, President Tinubu Confirms Pedro as NTA DG, Announces Three…

      FG, States, LGs Share N2.001trn for July, Says FAAC

      FG Unveils Personal Income Tax Calculator Under New Reform Laws

    • Government
      • FG, States, LGs Share N2.001trn for July, Says FAAC

        FG Unveils Personal Income Tax Calculator Under New Reform Laws

        Saudi Arabia Conducts Life-Saving Cardiac Surgeries in Kano

        FG Subsidises Dialysis Cost to N12,000, Says Northwest Not Excluded

        Ibrahim Yahaya Dandakata of Arewa Economic Forum AEF

        Arewa Economic Forum Alleges Targeted Removal of NTA Chief, Calls for…

  • Security
    • Police Recover arms from Boko Haram in Borno

      Man, 65, arrested for illegal arms deal in Anambra – Police

      Delegations Arrive Abuja for Inaugural African Defence Chiefs Summit

      Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA

      Troops Neutralise 7 Bandits, Recover Motorcycles in Katsina

      CRUSHING BLOW: other Top Boko Haram commanders neutralized in Bita, Wigo

      DSP Ikenga Tochukwu, PPRO Anamabra State Police Command,

      Police Command Moves to Address Protest Concerns in Anambra

  • Features
    • The Arrest of Ansaru Kingpins Mahmud Muhammad Usman aka Abu Bara’a, and Mahmud al-Nigeri aka Mallam Mamuda

      Ribadu and the fall of Ansaru By Senator Iroegbu

      Fixing the Fault Lines in Nigeria’s Culture of Recognition, By Mukhtar…

      How Desperation Turns Nigerian Job Seekers Into Scam Targets By Tahir…

      Festus Keyamo Aviation Minister

      Rebuilding Trust in Nigeria’s Aviation Through Crisis Communication, By Mukhtar Ya’u…

      President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

      Citizen’s Diary: The message from the South-East to President Tinubu, by…

  • State
    • CRUSHING BLOW: other Top Boko Haram commanders neutralized in Bita, Wigo

      CP Jimoh Moshood

      Lagos Police Intercept Vehicle Loaded with Cannabis

      ACF

      ACF Decries Worsening Insecurity in the North

      Nigerian Navy Personnel

      Navy Hands Over Seized Smuggled Rice, Cannabis to Customs, NDLEA, Rescues…

      Inspector-General of Police Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun

      Police Creates 2 New Area Commands, Upgrades 5 Divisions in Benue…

  • Event
    • President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

      His Death is a National Loss, Tinubu Mourns Emir of Zuru

      Umar Lauya

      Umar Lauya Declares Candidacy for NYCN Presidency, Vows to Unite and…

      The Executive Secretary/CEO of the National Sugar Department Council (NSDC), Mr. Kamar Bakrin (L), with the CEO of Legacy Sugar Company, Alh. Abubakar Isa Musa (R), during the signing ceremony.

      NSDC, New Operators Seal Landmark Development Agreements, to Produce 400,000MT of…

      Regional Vice President Western and Central Africa at the World Bank, Mr Ousmane Diagana pays a courtesy visit to Baze University

      World Bank Vice President visits Baze University, Commends Educational Standards, Assures…

      NIPR President Ike Neliaku and a recently inducted PR professional from Kano

      PHOTOS: NIPR Inducts 80 New PR Professionals in Kano to its…

    • PR Nigeria Award
  • E-Paper
Home Government ECOWAS Commission in 180m Contract Debt Crisis… faces another Court Verdict Oct....
  • Government

ECOWAS Commission in 180m Contract Debt Crisis… faces another Court Verdict Oct. 12

By
Prnigeria
-
September 5, 2017
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission is enmeshed in a contract debt of N180M that has pitched its management officers against one another in an internal dispute.
The debt was incurred in two contracts awarded by the commission on November 11, 2014 for the supply, installation and maintenance of two 15 KVA Inverters for power and associated equipment at  its Niger House and River Plaza Server Room both in Abuja.
Awarded in two tranches of N35.7M and N20.6M to make a total N56.4M contract sum and at a completion period of four weeks, the contractors-Vision Kam-Jay Investment Ltd was said to have executed the jobs within the period and to the specification as contained in the contract paper signed by the Commissioner General, Administration and conference Mr. Stephen Nartey.
A job completion certificated dated December 18, 2014 jointly signed by the Director, Community Computer Centre Mr. Osei Tutu and a program Officer, ICT Folake Olagunju Oyinda was issued to the contractor to clear him for payment in line with the contractual agreement endorsed by the commission and the contractor.
However, trouble started when the commission, in breach of the agreement, made the first tranche payment of N35.7M and ignored the second tranche of N20.6M despite several demands.
The trouble got to the peak when the contractor through its counsel Mr. Ocholi James SAN dragged the commission before the ECOWAS court on December 8, 2015 and prayed for order of the court compelling the commission to pay the contractor the outstanding N20.6M and 10 percent interest per day on the amount from April 16, 2015 till the debt is liquidated.
In the court action, the plaintiff also demanded N500M as general damages.
The contractor claimed to have lost to its partnership with its American counterpart and operational certificate due to refusal of the commission to honor the debt.
However in the judgment of October 6, 2016, the ECOWAS court found the commission liable for breach of contract and ordered it to pay the plaintiff the N20.6M principal contract sum and one percent interest per day from April 16, 2015 till the judgment debt is fully liquidated.
As at April 16, 2015, the commission had delayed payment for 120 days in breach of the contract agreement provisions.
The 3-man panel of Justices of Friday Chijioke Nwoke, Micah Wilkins Wright and Yaya Boro counseled the Commission to always exhibit responsibility and commitment in executing contracts in future.
The Justices in their unanimous judgment noted that the unfortunate laxity on the part of officers of the commission occasioned the losses to the defendants.
But rather than complying with the court verdict, the commission filed a notice of appeal to the same court praying for a review of its judgment of October 6, 2016.
Although judgment in the appeal was fixed for October 12, 2017, the commission ahead of the judgment day, opted for out of court settlement with the plaintiff and convened a high powered meeting on May 8, 2017 attended by its management and lawyers to the contractor.
In the resolution of the meeting signed by the Commissioner in-charge of General Administration and finance Mr. Stephen Nartey and the Director, Legal Affairs, Mr. Daniel Lago, for the commission and Mr. John Uttuh Junior for the contractor, both parties agreed that as at May 15, 2017, the sum of N178.2m had accrued from the judgment debt to be paid to the contractor.
However, after persuasion and negotiation, the contractor made concession and agreed to accept N20.6m as the principal sum and N150m as the accrued interest totaling N170.6m and which the commission agreed to pay.
The commission agreed to first pay up the N20.6m principal sum and the N150m balance in two installments of N75m by July and September 2017.
In another breach of agreement however, the commission settled the N20.6m principal sum and refused to honour the N150m balance in flagrant disobedience to the orders of the ECOWAS court made on October 6, 2016.
In a buck-passing game, the commission in an internal memo to the President of the Commission took swipe at the Financial Controller of the commission for being responsible for the plight of the commission with refusal to pay the contract debt on time to the contractor.
The memo authored by Mr. Stephen Nartey, the commissioner for General Administration and Conferences and titled “Re: – Court judgment against the ECOWAS commission” informed the ECOWAS President how the Financial Controller vetted and the sanctioned contracts before they were signed.
The memo noted that “after the supplies were made by the contractor and the time of payment arrived, the Financial Controller (FC) then decided to impose amount that must be paid to the supplier contrary to what is in the contract”
“The Director of Legal Affairs advised against the FC’s conduct but he refused to back down. Since all payments must be sanctioned by the Financial Controller, his refusal to sanction payment blocks action on that transaction which led the supplier to resort to court for redress”.
“This court case is a self-inflicted case and any penalties resulting from the court case are also self-inflected.
The memo asked the ECOWAS President to hold those who refused to sanction the payment and insisting on going to court against legal advice personally responsible and liable for the payment of any penalties in the form of interest and damages”
However one of the lawyers in the matter Mr. Edward Emmanuel said that holding anybody responsible is purely internal affairs of the Commission and that the ECOWAS court judgment is binding on the commission and not on individual and pleaded with the common to honour the payment instead of buck-passing.
The counsel opined that the Commission’s President, having endorsed the debt for payment should ensure that the court judgment is implemented in the interest of the rule of law and natural justice.
Meanwhile the ECOWAS court will October 12 give judgment in the appeal filed by the commission in respect of the judgment debt.
VISIT OUR OTHER WEBSITES
PRNigeria.com EconomicConfidential.com PRNigeria.com/Hausa/
EmergencyDigest.com PoliticsDigest.ng TechDigest.ng
HealthDigest.ng SpokesPersonsdigest.com TeensDigest.ng
ArewaAgenda.com Hausa.ArewaAgenda.com YAShuaib.com
  • TAGS
  • abuja
  • ECOWAS
  • Ocholi James
Previous articleNigerian Navy Averts Major Maritime Mishap
Next articleEFCC Arrests Seven MAPOLY Students, Others for Internet Fraud
Prnigeria
Prnigeria
https://prnigeria.com
PRNigeria is the pioneer Press Release Distribution agency in Nigeria. A member of image Merchant Promotions limited, PRNigeria encourages individuals and organisations to be more transparent in their information management. with dedicated Editorial staffs, the PRNigeria ensures that information provided on its platforms are timely, factual and authoritative Read more at: //prnigeria.com/about/
Facebook Twitter

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

Police Recover arms from Boko Haram in Borno

Man, 65, arrested for illegal arms deal in Anambra – Police

Delegations Arrive Abuja for Inaugural African Defence Chiefs Summit

Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA

Troops Neutralise 7 Bandits, Recover Motorcycles in Katsina

CRUSHING BLOW: other Top Boko Haram commanders neutralized in Bita, Wigo

PHOTOS: Finally, President Tinubu Confirms Pedro as NTA DG, Announces Three Female Executive Directors

Nigerian Military Refutes Misinterpretation of CDS Self-Defence Comment

FG, States, LGs Share N2.001trn for July, Says FAAC

FG Unveils Personal Income Tax Calculator Under New Reform Laws

Anambra Police Nab Suspected Vandals, Recover Transformer Parts, High-Tension Cables

Tinubu Jets to Brazil After Japan Summit, Eyes Trade, Security Deals

Saudi Arabia Conducts Life-Saving Cardiac Surgeries in Kano

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa

CDS Musa Charges Citizens to Learn Combat Skills for Self-Defence

LEAVE A REPLY Cancel reply

Log in to leave a comment

Recent Posts

  • Man, 65, arrested for illegal arms deal in Anambra – Police
  • Delegations Arrive Abuja for Inaugural African Defence Chiefs Summit
  • Troops Neutralise 7 Bandits, Recover Motorcycles in Katsina
  • CRUSHING BLOW: other Top Boko Haram commanders neutralized in Bita, Wigo
  • Police Command Moves to Address Protest Concerns in Anambra
  • Home
  • About
  • Adverts
  • Contact
© 2020 PRNigeria. All Rights Reserved.
Latest News
Delegations Arrive Abuja for Inaugural African Defence Chiefs SummitTroops Neutralise 7 Bandits, Recover Motorcycles in KatsinaCRUSHING BLOW: other Top Boko Haram commanders neutralized in Bita, WigoPolice Command Moves to Address Protest Concerns in AnambraPHOTOS: Finally, President Tinubu Confirms Pedro as NTA DG, Announces Three Female Executive DirectorsNigerian Military Refutes Misinterpretation of CDS Self-Defence CommentCDS, Katsina Lawmakers Strategize to Tackle BanditryFG, States, LGs Share N2.001trn for July, Says FAACLagos Police Intercept Vehicle Loaded with CannabisFG Unveils Personal Income Tax Calculator Under New Reform LawsACF Decries Worsening Insecurity in the NorthNavy Hands Over Seized Smuggled Rice, Cannabis to Customs, NDLEA, Rescues Trafficking VictimsPolice Creates 2 New Area Commands, Upgrades 5 Divisions in Benue to Boost SecurityAnambra Police Nab Suspected Vandals, Recover Transformer Parts, High-Tension CablesTinubu Jets to Brazil After Japan Summit, Eyes Trade, Security Deals
X whatsapp