Bauchi Secures Over N5bn Refund From Mauritz Walton Nigeria

The Bauchi State High Court II has ordered Mauritz Walton Nigeria Limited to refund over five billion naira to the Bauchi State Government following a legal dispute over a consultancy agreement.

Delivering judgment on Thursday, the presiding judge, Hon. Justice Kunaza N. Hamidu, directed the company to immediately refund the sum of N5,028,249,914.66 to the Bauchi State Government.

Justice Hamidu explained that the Bauchi State Government had entered into a consultancy agreement with Mauritz Walton Nigeria Limited for the reconciliation and recovery of idle funds and excess interest or charges on foreign loans.

According to the court, the consultancy agreement expired on January 2, 2015, and the company failed to recover the alleged excess deductions, charges, and outstanding funds in the state government’s accounts within the 90 days stipulated in the agreement.

The Judge further ruled that since the agreement had expired and was not renewed, and the defendant failed to recover the funds within the agreed period, Mauritz Walton Nigeria Limited was not entitled to the consultancy fee of N5,028,249,914.66.

The court therefore granted an injunction restraining the company, its agents, or privies from demanding any consultancy fees from the Bauchi State Government in relation to the agreement.

Moreover, the court awarded N100 million as general damages against the company.

Counsel to the Bauchi State Government, M. A. Liman, who held the brief of Chief Uche (SAN), expressed appreciation to the court for what he described as a fair judgment in favour of the state government.

Darlington Onyekwere represented Mauritz Walton Nigeria Limited during the proceedings.

BY KHALID IDRIS DOYA, Bauchi

The Bauchi State High Court II has ordered Mauritz Walton Nigeria Limited to refund over five billion naira to the Bauchi State Government following a legal dispute over a consultancy agreement.

Delivering judgment on Thursday, the presiding judge, Hon. Justice Kunaza N. Hamidu, directed the company to immediately refund the sum of N5,028,249,914.66 to the Bauchi State Government.

Justice Hamidu explained that the Bauchi State Government had entered into a consultancy agreement with Mauritz Walton Nigeria Limited for the reconciliation and recovery of idle funds and excess interest or charges on foreign loans.

According to the court, the consultancy agreement expired on January 2, 2015, and the company failed to recover the alleged excess deductions, charges, and outstanding funds in the state government’s accounts within the 90 days stipulated in the agreement.

The Judge further ruled that since the agreement had expired and was not renewed, and the defendant failed to recover the funds within the agreed period, Mauritz Walton Nigeria Limited was not entitled to the consultancy fee of N5,028,249,914.66.

The court therefore granted an injunction restraining the company, its agents, or privies from demanding any consultancy fees from the Bauchi State Government in relation to the agreement.

Moreover, the court awarded N100 million as general damages against the company.

Counsel to the Bauchi State Government, M. A. Liman, who held the brief of Chief Uche (SAN), expressed appreciation to the court for what he described as a fair judgment in favour of the state government.

Darlington Onyekwere represented Mauritz Walton Nigeria Limited during the proceedings.