Techsoma Africa continues to investigate the growing allegations against Bento Africa, a prominent payroll and HR tech company made by Sultan Akintunde, CTO of Altschool Africa, as new claims emerge about unremitted PAYE taxes and pension funds. Following our initial report, more voices have come forward to corroborate the accusations, calling for transparency and accountability.
Fresh Allegations
The controversy has escalated with fresh accounts from clients and industry professionals:
- Tomiwa Of Nations shared that during two years of using Bento’s services, pensions and taxes were only remitted for less than 12 months, leaving significant gaps.
- Rotimi Olawale, a founder who reported delays in PAYE remittances, confirmed his company faced a ₦1 million fine for non-compliance and has now filed a legal case against Bento.
- Deji Ogundiran alleged that Bento forged PAYE and pension remittance documents over two years, leaving his company exposed to ₦50 million in liabilities.
- Sultan, CTO of AltSchool Africa, advised startups to verify PAYE remittances directly with FIRS, accusing Bento of collecting millions while remitting just ₦100 monthly to the tax authority.
Bento Africa CEO Responds
Ebun Okubanjo, the CEO of Bento Africa, responded to the accusations in a direct LinkedIn message to Techsoma Africa. While he vehemently denied the allegations and accused the media of “chasing clout,” he declined to provide evidence or an official statement to refute the claims. In his response, Okubanjo ‘likened the accusation to a false and unverified rape accusation’, “Go with your version,” when asked to clarify his position.
Techsoma Africa emphasized its commitment to balanced reporting, offering Bento the opportunity to provide a formal rebuttal or explanation. Despite this, the CEO has not shared any further evidence to address the accusations.
Implications for Startups and Businesses
The allegations raise significant concerns for businesses relying on payroll and HR tech providers in Nigeria:
- Financial Risk: Startups and companies may face hefty penalties for unremitted taxes, as seen in Rotimi Olawale’s ₦1 million fine.
- Trust Erosion: Clients are questioning Bento’s integrity, which could impact the broader HR tech industry.
- Regulatory Crackdown: The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) may launch investigations into payroll companies to ensure compliance and protect taxpayers.
What’s Next for Bento Africa?
With public pressure mounting, Bento Africa must act swiftly to clear its name. The company’s reputation and the broader trust in Nigeria’s HR tech ecosystem hang in the balance. FIRS is expected to intensify its scrutiny, while affected clients may pursue legal remedies.
Techsoma Africa’s Commitment
As a leading voice in African tech, Techsoma Africa is committed to reporting the truth. We remain open to publishing any evidence or official statement from Bento Africa to address these allegations. For now, we encourage businesses using HR solutions to independently verify their compliance with PAYE remittances and other financial obligations.
This story is evolving. Stay tuned for further updates.
