According to Nigerian Tribune, Hon. Ahmed Adamu Saba, representing the Edu/Moro/Patigi federal constituency of Kwara State, has disputed a claim of indebtedness raised by his former lawyer, Salman Jawondo (SAN), former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of Kwara State.

Jawondo has alleged that Saba owes him N81,090,000 in legal fees for services provided in a pre-election legal case.

Responding to recent reports of the claim, which was brought before a Kwara High Court on Wednesday, Saba termed the legal fee demand "excessive and unwarranted." The case has been adjourned until December 10, 2024.

The legislator, who admitted that he has an unsettled bill with the senior lawyer, said that he did not receive any summon or documents from any court on the matter.

The legislator in a statement, titled, 'Rejoinder to Recent News Regarding Mr. Ahmed Adamu Saba', issued by his Special Assistant on Digital Media, Liman Hamidu Bello, in Ilorin at the weekend, he assured that he was committed to resolving the payments amicably and in good faith.

The statement added that the lawmaker is open to dialogue in settling the outstanding bills but expressed concern that, “this lawsuit may be part of a broader campaign by detractors attempting to tarnish his reputation and undermine his position as a dedicated public servant”.

The lawmaker said that he remained focused on his duties as a representative and will not allow personal attacks or unfounded claims to derail his commitment to serving the people of Edu/Moro/Patigi Federal Constituency.

The statement reads, “We would like to address the recent news article regarding Mr. Ahmed Adamu Saba, a member of Nigeria's House of Representatives, which has sparked considerable discussion online.

“While it is acknowledged that Mr. Saba engaged the services of lawyer A.S. Jawondo (SAN) for legal representation in a pre-election matter, it is important to clarify several points regarding the claims made in the article:

“Firstly, Mr. Saba appreciates the efforts of Mr. Jawondo and is fully aware that there are outstanding payments related to the legal services rendered.

“He is committed to resolving these payments amicably and in good faith. However, Mr. Saba finds the quoted sum of N81,090,000 to be excessive and unwarranted.

“He has not been formally served with any court documents regarding this matter, which raises concerns about the legitimacy and timing of this claim.

“Furthermore, Mr. Saba believes that this lawsuit may be part of a broader campaign by detractors attempting to tarnish his reputation and undermine his position as a dedicated public servant.

“He remains steadfast in his belief that his election was divinely ordained, and he will not be deterred by attempts to distract him from his responsibilities to his constituents.

“It is essential to emphasize that Mr. Saba is open to dialogue and negotiation to settle any outstanding obligations, as he values the importance of maintaining professional relationships and integrity in all dealings.

“He encourages all parties involved to pursue a resolution that reflects fairness and respect for the contributions made.

In his own claims, the lawyer, Jawondo, said that Saba, who was elected under the All Progressives Congress (APC) platform, owes him for services rendered in a pre-election lawsuit, adding that the lawmaker secured his counsel during a pre-election lawsuit filed against the federal lawmaker.

In court documents obtained and filed before the Kwara State High Court in Ilorin, the lawyer claimed that the APC chieftain hired him to help retain his candidature from the Federal High Court to the Supreme Court but then refused to pay him the professional fees agreed upon.

The lawyer further declared that the total charges for prosecuting the matter from the Federal High Court to the Supreme Court were N81,295,000.00, and that the legislator only paid N5,700,000.

The lawyer added that despite repeated demands via WhatsApp messages, the lawmaker only paid an additional N1,000,000 on December 5, 2023, and has not paid any amount thereafter.

“That despite demands and warnings, the defendant refused, failed and or neglected to settle his indebtedness to me except on 5th December, 2023, when the defendant, by a bank transfer alert, paid a sum of one million naira (N1,000,000.00) only out of the outstanding professional fees leaving a net balance of seventy-two million, two hundred and fifty thousand naira (N72,250,000.00) only as unpaid professional fees as at 5th December, 2023 which sum the defendant has refused, neglected and or failed to pay despite repeated demands,” the court document reads.

“That from the conduct and attitude of the defendant, the defendant is not interested in settling his indebtedness to me after utilizing my professional skill, expertise and services as a Legal Practitioner and as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria,” the lawyer informed the court.

The lawyer therefore urged the court to award a total sum of eighty-one million and ninety thousand naira (N81,090,000.00) against the lawmakers. He described the demanded damages as the aggregate total of the balance of professional fees, balance of running/incidental expenses and Value Added Tax for legal services rendered by him to the APC chieftain.

The court document reads, “Seventy two million, two hundred and fifty thousand naira (N72,250,000.00) only being the balance of professional fees for legal services rendered by the claimant to the defendant in respect of Pre-Election matter with Suit No. FHC/AL/CS/41/2022, Appeal No. CA/IL/104/2023 and Appeal No. SC/CV/156/2023; Hon. Ahmed Abubakar Ndakene V. Saba Ahmed Adamu & 2 Ors.

“Three million, five hundred and fifty thousand naira (N3,550,000,00) only being the balance of running/incidental expenses for legal services rendered by the claimant to the defendant in respect of Pre-Election matter with Suit No. FHC/IL/CS/41/2022, Appeal No. CA/IL/104/2023 and Appeal No. SC/CV/156/2023; Hon. Ahmed Abubakar Ndakene V. Saba Ahmed Adamu & 2 Ors.

“Five million, two hundred and ninety-five thousand naira (N5,295,000.00) only being total Value Added Tax (VAT) on professional fees for legal services rendered by the claimant to the defendant in respect of pre-election matter with Suit No. FHC/IL/CS/41/2022, Appeal No. CA/IL/104/2023 and Appeal No. SC/CV/156/2023; lon. Ahmed Abubakar Ndakene V. Saba Ahmed Adamu & 2 Ors.

“10% interest/Court interest on the total sum of eighty-one million and ninety thousand naira (N81,090,000.00) only from the date of Judgment until the entire sum is finally liquidated or settled.”