Zoodlabs apologises to Audit Service SL
Acting Auditor General, Abdul Aziz
Zoodlabs-SL, a technology and infrastructure company providing wireless broadband internet services in Sierra Leone, has issued a public apology to the Audit Service Sierra Leone (ASSL) regarding inconsistencies in its financial obligations to the Government of Sierra Leone, as highlighted in the 2023 Auditor General’s Report.
On January 13, 2025, Mahmoud Idriss, the Executive Director of Zoodlabs (SL) Ltd., formally apologized during a Public Accounts Committee hearing in Parliament.
The apology followed the controversy surrounding the presentation of a cheque, purportedly representing payment from Zoodlabs to the Sierra Leone Government, which caused confusion about the company’s financial obligations during the audit period.
The 2023 Auditor General’s Report revealed that Zoodlabs had failed to remit its agreed annual fee of $1.44 million. During the hearing, discrepancies emerged concerning a cheque dated December 24, 2024—falling outside the audit period of January to December 2023—raising questions about the company’s compliance with its financial responsibilities.
Zoodlabs had criticized the Auditor General’s findings, claiming the report was erroneous and malicious, potentially damaging the company’s reputation. Idriss, however, admitted that the publication of the cheque dated December 2024 inaccurately portrayed Zoodlabs’ financial relationship with the government during the specified audit period. He expressed regret for the confusion and its impact on public perception of the company’s commitment to fulfilling its obligations.
The apology was welcomed as a positive step towards rebuilding trust with government auditing bodies and ensuring compliance with financial regulations. The incident underscored the need for clearer communication and strict adherence to audit periods to maintain accountability and transparency.
As the Audit Service Sierra Leone continues its mission to uphold financial accountability across government entities, future audits will aim to address any lingering discrepancies and reinforce the importance of fostering national development through fiscal discipline.
