Bento recently let go of its 10-person tech team after a dispute arose regarding delayed January salaries. The decision to lay off the team followed allegations of tax and pension payment irregularities, as well as accusations of forging tax receipts for Lagos State clients. Despite founder Ebun Okubanjo’s denial of these claims, he resigned on January 30. The company stated it was working on transitioning responsibilities from Okubanjo, but some investors did not receive this communication.
After the layoff, Okubanjo continued to communicate with employees, informing them of the delayed salaries and justifying it as a preemptive move due to potential resignations amidst the controversies. When employees protested by refusing to work until paid, Okubanjo considered it as resignations and deactivated their work emails without compensation.
The affected tech team, primarily comprising young engineers, had been with the company for a little over a year. The layoffs have impacted Bento’s operations, especially in payroll processing for its clients. The company, which previously automated salary disbursements, has faced challenges in processing payments manually since 2024 due to payment processor issues and underfunded accounts.
Despite the disruptions, Bento assured customers of halting transactions to facilitate the transfer of platform credentials to an interim overseer. An employee expressed concern over the allegations of forged tax receipts and the impact on their career.
These recent events have created uncertainty among employees and stakeholders, with repercussions on the company’s operational efficiency and reputation.