Zoodlabs Scandal: $6.4 Million Debt Exposed in Sierra Leone Auditor General’s Report

By Benjamin S Conteh 

The Deputy Speaker of the Sixth Parliament, Hon. Ibrahim Tawa Conteh, representing the Western Area District, has disclosed that Zoodlabs owes the Government of Sierra Leone a staggering $6.4 million. This debt arises from the company’s failure to comply with financial obligations outlined in a ratified agreement.

Speaking during the presentation of the 2023 Auditor General’s Report on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, in Parliament, Hon. Conteh explained that Zoodlabs was required to pay $1,440,000 annually into the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) as stipulated in the agreement. Additionally, $3,060,000 was to be paid into the Digital Development Fund.

The Deputy Speaker revealed that despite these requirements, Zoodlabs has not made a single payment to the CRF since the agreement’s ratification. He further disclosed that the company had been operating a year before the agreement was brought to Parliament for approval.

“It is critical that we thoroughly investigate this issue,” Hon. Conteh stated, adding that the 2023 Auditor General’s Report confirmed Zoodlabs’ non compliance with its payment obligations.

Hon. Conteh highlighted that the lack of prior parliamentary ratification of the initial agreement made it unconstitutional to enforce payment. He referenced Section 110 of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone, which requires parliamentary authorization for any tax waivers or financial commitments.

“The agreement captured in the 2022 Auditor General’s Report was never ratified by Parliament, making it null and void,” he emphasized.

The Deputy Speaker also criticized the then Minister of Internal Affairs, Panda Noah, and the former Chief Immigration Officer, Andrew Jiah Kaikai, for signing the agreement without ensuring parliamentary approval. The Chief Executive Officer of Netpage, Mr. Jamal Shallop, was a key figure in the signing.

Additional Audit Findings 

Hon. Conteh noted that the 2023 Audit Report also highlighted irregularities in agreements involving Kingo Mining Group of Companies, the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, and the Ministry of Transport and Aviation. These included questionable procurement processes and large payments for study leave by the Human Resource Management Office (HRMO).

He assured Parliament and the public that the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) would thoroughly probe these issues, including discrepancies in the Ministry of Transport and