Court rules against Sokoto govt over contract termination

From Abdulfatai Abdulsalami, Sokoto

Justice Danlami Sambo of Sokoto State High Court III has ruled against the action of Sokoto State government for unlawfully terminating a contract awarded for the expansion of Usman Faruk Secretariat to a construction firm, Messrs Edile Construction Nig. Ltd.

Justice Sambo in his ruling averred that the action taken by the 1st defendant was not in accordance

TBy Abbas Jimoh

he Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) Councillors’ Forum has said that it joined President Goodluck Jonathan and other Nigerians in congratulating the winner of the March 28 Presidential election, rtd Gen. Muhammadu Buhari but that the outcome of the elections shows that PDP would bounce back to presidency in 2019.

Chairman of the forum Hon. Onogu Collins Monday told reporters yesterday in Abuja at the end of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the forum with clause 42 of the contractual agreement entered by both parties.

The court also ruled that the action taken by the 1st defendant was malicious and done in bad faith, hence null and void.

The said contract was awarded in late 2013 at the cost of N5.7 billion but revoked few months later and re-awarded to another contractor at the cost of N5, 284,206,081. The state government had cited slow pace of work for its revocation.

However, aggrieved by the development, the firm through its that the defeat of the PDP in the presidency was shocking and not expected. “The exemplary conduct of our dear President Goodluck Ebele ‘Mainasara’ Jonathan has shown to us that the greatest victory is not only in winning, but in making sacrifices to pave way for a better future for our great country Nigeria.

“We therefore join Mr. President and also former FCT Minister and our Grand Patron Engr. Abba Gana, to extend our sincere congratulations to the President-elect, who won on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). We wish him long life, good health, Allah’s guidance and a successful tenure of office,” Monday said. counsel, Mr. Lagalo Dan Lagalo (Esq) approached the court seeking for a redress.

The firm asked the court to determine whether the agreement dated June 3rd, 2013, freely entered into by the plaintiff and the Sokoto State government was valid, subsisting and/or binding on the parties.

In the suit, the plaintiff also joined the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice as 2nd defendants.

It also sought among others, an order declaring as null and void the revocation paper dated April 15, 2014, by which the 1st defendant (Sokoto State government) purported to revoke, determine and/ or terminate the contract awarded to the plaintiff, adding that “the said revocation was malicious and in bad faith.”

Commenting on the verdict, counsel to the defendants, Barrister Shu’aibu Liman Wali said his clients have concluded to challenge the verdict in the appellate court.

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