A former expatriate employee of Dantata & Sawoe Construction Company (Nigeria) Limited, Mr. Abirban Som, died after the company allegedly failed to pay more than €100,000 in outstanding salaries, allowances, entitlements and other employment benefits following the termination of his appointment, sources have told SaharaReporters.
According to sources familiar with the matter, Som dedicated decades of service to the construction giant, working with the company from 2000 until his death in October 2026, with only a two-year break in between.
The sources said Som rose through the ranks during his years of service and was serving as the company’s Finance Director before his appointment was terminated.
They alleged that following the termination of his employment, Dantata & Sawoe Construction Company (Nigeria) Limited failed to pay his outstanding financial entitlements despite repeated expectations that the company would settle its obligations.
A source familiar with the matter told SaharaReporters that the unpaid benefits exceeded €100,000.
“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 said.
The source added that despite Som’s death, the company has continued to withhold the outstanding payments 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.
Previously, SaharaReporters reported that 12 former expatriate employees of Dantata & Sawoe Construction Company (Nigeria) Limited accused the construction giant of failing to pay a combined €380,000 and $3,500 in outstanding salaries, entitlements, allowances and other employment benefits following the termination of their appointments.
According to documents obtained by SaharaReporters and a legal demand issued on behalf of the affected workers, the former employees were disengaged at various times between 2022 and 2025, but remain unpaid despite provisions in their respective contracts governing salaries, allowances and final settlement upon termination.
A source familiar with the matter told SaharaReporters that the company terminated the appointments of the foreign workers at different times between 2022 and 2025, adding that several of them have since returned to their home countries while awaiting payment of their outstanding employment benefits.
The affected former employees are 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.
One of the documents obtained by SaharaReporters is a Letter of Appointment as Plant Technician, dated April 20, 2017, bearing reference number PERS 67-2017. The 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.
The document stated: “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 further specified that the employee’s place of work would be within areas covered by the operations of Dantata & Sawoe Construction Company (Nigeria) Limited.
