Zoodlabs Publicly Apologizes to Audit Service
Zoodlabs-SL, a technology and infrastructure company that provides internet service through a wireless broadband network in Sierra Leone has publicly apologized in Parliament to the Audit Service Sierra Leone over inconsistencies of financial obligations to the Government of Sierra Leone as highlighted in the 2023 Auditor General’s Report.
On 13th January, 2025, Mahmoud Idriss, Executive Director of Zoodlabs (SL) Ltd., formally issued an apology to the Audit Service Sierra Leone (ASSL) during a Public Accounts Committee hearing. The apology was in response to the recent controversy surrounding the display of a cheque purportedly reflecting payment from Zoodlabs to the Sierra Leone Government, which had caused confusion regarding the company’s financial obligations as highlighted in the Auditor General’s Report.
This incident arose in the context of ongoing discussions about payments owed by Zoodlabs, which were identified in the Auditor General’s Report. The report highlighted that the company had failed to remit the agreed annual fee of US$1.44 million. During the hearings, discrepancies in the payment timeline came to light, particularly the cheque dated October 2024, which fell outside the audit period of January to December 2023.
Idriss acknowledged that the publication of the cheque, dated 24th December 2024, did not accurately represent the financial relationship with the government during the audit period of January to December 2023. He expressed regret for the misunderstanding and the implications it may have had on the integrity of the audit process and public perception of Zoodlabs’ commitment to fulfilling its financial responsibilities.
The apology from Zoodlabs was described as a step towards fostering better relations with government auditing bodies and enhancing compliance with financial regulations. As the Audit Service Sierra Leone continues its work to ensure accountability across government entities, the importance of clear communication and adherence to audit periods has been underscored. Future audits will seek to clarify any outstanding discrepancies and promote national development.