
A Nigerian payroll company has come under fire for allegedly embezzling employee tax contributions by remitting a mere ₦100 to the Lagos State Inland Revenue Service (LIRS) while collecting millions of naira from startups.
The allegations were brought to light on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) by user @hackSultan, who accused the company, identified as Bento Africa, of engaging in fraudulent practices. The whistleblower called on affected startups to urgently verify their tax remittances with relevant authorities.
In his post, @hackSultan detailed how the company purportedly forged tax receipts to cover up discrepancies. “This payroll company has been stealing employee taxes (PAYE) from startups, collecting millions while remitting just ₦100 monthly to LIRS,” he wrote. He further alleged that the company falsified receipts to match the full amounts they were meant to remit, deceiving startups into believing their taxes were appropriately paid.
The whistleblower claimed the issue persisted throughout 2023 and potentially earlier, affecting numerous tech startups. He urged companies that have engaged the services of the payroll firm to physically visit their tax offices to confirm if their PAYE was accurately remitted.
“This issue isn’t isolated; it involves many companies,” he emphasized, adding that his organization had ceased using the firm after uncovering the irregularities.
The allegations have sparked widespread discussion about transparency and accountability within Nigeria’s payroll systems, with many calling for stricter regulatory oversight to prevent similar occurrences. Efforts to reach the accused payroll company for comment were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.
Authorities are yet to confirm whether investigations into the claims have been launched. Meanwhile, business owners and employees alike are advised to remain vigilant and ensure compliance with tax remittance obligations.
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