EXCLUSIVE(SAHARA REPORTERS): Ex-Finance Director Dies; Dantata & Sawoe Allegedly Owes His Estate Over €100,000

Sources have informed SaharaReporters that Mr. Abirban Som, a former expatriate Finance Director for Dantata & Sawoe Construction Company (Nigeria) Limited, passed away following the company's alleged failure to disburse more than €100,000 in outstanding salaries, allowances, and other employment benefits after his appointment was terminated. Individuals familiar with the situation disclosed that Som had dedicated several decades to the construction firm, serving from 2000 until his death in October 2026, with only a two-year hiatus during that period. These sources indicated that Som advanced through various roles within the company, ultimately holding the position of Finance Director before his employment was brought to an end.

It is alleged that subsequent to the termination of his service, Dantata & Sawoe Construction Company (Nigeria) Limited neglected to settle his outstanding financial dues, despite repeated expectations that the company would fulfill its obligations. A source close to the matter informed SaharaReporters that the unpaid entitlements exceeded €100,000. The source stated, "Som worked with Dantata from 2000 until October 2026 when he died. He had a two-year break in between. He was the last Finance Director."

The source further claimed that even after Som's passing, the company has continued to withhold the payments rightfully due to his estate. "Since his death, Dantata & Sawoe Construction Company has refused to pay all his entitlements. The outstanding salaries, allowances, employment benefits and other entitlements amount to more than €100,000," the source alleged.

This development comes after SaharaReporters previously reported on a similar issue involving 12 other former expatriate employees of Dantata & Sawoe Construction Company (Nigeria) Limited. These individuals had accused the construction giant of failing to pay a combined sum of €380,000 and $3,500 in outstanding salaries, entitlements, allowances, and other employment benefits following the termination of their respective appointments. According to documents obtained by SaharaReporters, along with a legal demand issued on behalf of the affected workers, these former employees were disengaged at different times between 2022 and 2025. Despite provisions in their contracts detailing salaries, allowances, and final settlements upon termination, they remain unpaid. A source indicated that many of these foreign workers have since returned to their home countries while still awaiting their outstanding employment benefits. The affected former employees include Wenz Markus, Milic Negovan, Madler Sven, Kojic Dragan, Kovacevic Goran, Gehlen Hermann, Erdemir Ocal, Rittner Richard, Ozturk Yasar, Stanisic Mico, Jerkic Stevo, and Lima Francesco.

Among the documents secured by SaharaReporters is a Letter of Appointment for a Plant Technician, dated April 20, 2017, with reference number PERS 67-2017. This letter, addressed to Rittner Richard, was signed by Managing Director U. Heidschuster and Financial Manager J. Adelt. The appointment letter outlined the terms and conditions of his employment in Nigeria, stating: "We refer to the recent verbal contacts we had with you for the purpose of you being employed in Nigeria in our Company, and details here below are the main conditions that will apply during your stay in Nigeria." It also specified that the employee's workplace would be within the operational areas of Dantata & Sawoe Construction Company (Nigeria) Limited.