◾GON-SETEC insists that Fidelity Bank breached the contract
LAGOS — Fidelity Bank Plc has denied allegations that it wrongfully terminated its engagement with GON-SETEC and breached an obligation to pay professional fees for consultancy services rendered in connection with a proposed sewage treatment plant project.
The bank made its position known in a three-page letter dated August 10, 2026, addressed to Chief Kola Kuforiji, Principal Partner of Kola Kuforiji Law Office, in response to a July 20, 2026 letter of demand on behalf of his client.
The demand had alleged, among other issues, wrongful termination of engagement, breach of contract, unjust enrichment, failure to pay professional fees and loss of business opportunity.
However, Fidelity Bank, through its Legal Services and Litigation & Dispute Resolution departments, disputed the allegations, maintaining that there was no contract between the bank and GON-SETEC capable of being terminated.
According to the bank, GON-SETEC’s engagement was limited to the provision of preliminary consultancy services. It stated that there was neither a formal nor informal contract for the deployment of the sewage treatment plant at the bank’s head office and that no contractual relationship was created that could support the claims contained in the demand letter.
The bank acknowledged that GON-SETEC rendered certain consultancy services at its request but said that the issue of compensation for the services was “never discussed or agreed.”
Fidelity Bank further explained that, in accordance with its procurement procedures, a competitive tender was conducted for the deployment of a sewage treatment plant at its No. 2 Kofo Abayomi Office, Victoria Island, Lagos.
It said GON-SETEC was among several vendors invited to participate in the tender process but its bid was unsuccessful following the evaluation exercise.
The bank consequently rejected claims that GON-SETEC had a legitimate expectation to execute the project and earn the associated profits, describing the allegations of wrongful termination, breach of duty, deprivation of legitimate expectation and related claims as misconceived.
On the question of payment for consultancy services already rendered, Fidelity Bank stated that any amount that might be due could only be determined through mutual engagement and agreement between the parties, taking into consideration the nature, scope and value of the services actually provided.
Despite its denial of the claims, the bank said it remained committed to resolving the dispute amicably and invited GON-SETEC to a meeting where the issue of compensation could be discussed and, where appropriate, negotiated in good faith.
The meeting was scheduled for Thursday, August 13, 2026, at 12 noon, at No. 2 Kofo Abayomi, Block B, Victoria Island, Lagos.
GON-SETEC insists that Fidelity Bank breached the contract but is not averse to peaceful settlement of the dispute. The company maintains its position that the bank’s actions amounted to a breach of its contractual obligations, while remaining open to dialogue and an amicable resolution of the matter.
Fidelity Bank, in its concluding remarks, expressed hope that GON-SETEC would embrace the opportunity for an amicable resolution of the dispute.
The letter was signed on behalf of Fidelity Bank Plc by Oluwatodimu Adeyemi, Legal Services, and Adebukunola Siyonbola, Group Head, Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
