While having dessert, Alhaji spoke up, looking Mr. Quadri in the eye. He said, “Quadri, you see Mr. Chukwuma and I have a common enemy, and I believe strongly that you Quadri are the only one that can kill this enemy”. Mr. Quadri smiled and said, “With all due respect Alhaji, I am lost here, what common enemy?”
“Calm down Quadri! The enemy here is the 3rd quarter statements you have prepared for the company. The financial statement shows that the company is in a bad state. I need you to change the financials so that I can access a loan from Bond Bank.” “You see, Mr. Chukwuma needs a favourable report to assist us with a loan from his bank- he of course will get his own cut afterwards. So you see Quadri, you need to do the needful, so that we can all get what each person wants. I get my loan while Chukwuma gets his kickback. So in plain terms, you and your 3rd quarter financial statements is the common enemy”.
Mr. Quadri didn’t seem excited after he had heard the long speech from Alhaji Bature. He knew that what his boss was requesting was unethical and that he could be struck off by the professional body. He immediately objected and said that it was unethical for him to adjust the books and financial statement to suit the preferences of the management of the company. Alhaji Bature threatened Mr. Quadri that he would report him to the authorities about the insider information he had once used to his advantage in a company he had previously worked.
“May I remind you Quadri”, said Alhaji Bature, “That when you were Chief Financial Officer of the Ifelodun industries, you were involved in insider trading and dealings; and that you disposed off your shares to your own personal advantage. You know that I can also report you to the professional body and if they find this allegation to be true, you Mr. Quadri will be ultimately struck off!” My advice to you Mr. Quadri is to do the needful. Adjust the necessary figures, if you like adjust the revenue or the expenditure, you are the accountant. I don’t care how you are gonna do it, but get it done!” All the while, Mr. Chukwuma kept quiet; he knew that if in future the Bio chemicals got the loan and could not pay, he would not be liable. His defense would be that he relied on the financial statements and books prepared and signed by Mr. Quadri. Alhaji Bature had succeeded in blackmailing the company’s accountant to adjust the financial statement.
Not too long after the meeting ended via a phone call to Mr.Quadri, Alhaji Bature gave Quadri further instructions. He advised Quadri to ensure that the adjusted (cooked) financial statements are ready in 48hours on his desk, so that upon return from his short business trip to Ibadan, he would send the financials to Chukwuma at Bond bank so that he can commence work on the approval and disbursement of the loan. Little did Alhaji know that conversation via phone was being recorded.
