Sources familiar with the situation revealed that the affected employees were suspected of involvement with anonymous emails circulated within Alpha-Beta Consulting LLP in May 2025. The messages raised concerns regarding staff welfare, favoritism, and alleged internal corruption.

Alpha-Beta Consulting LLP, a tax advisory firm closely associated with President Bola Tinubu, reportedly terminated eight employees and suspended nine others in connection with alleged whistleblowing activities and the exposure of irregularities within the company, According to SaharaReporters.

Insiders said the dismissals and suspensions, carried out on Friday, January 30, 2026, were led by the company’s Managing Director, Mr. Akinsanya Doherty. Staff described the stated reason as “performance-related issues,” despite the absence of formal performance reviews.

“Mr. Doherty used performance excuses to terminate eight staff members even though no appraisal had been conducted,” one source told SaharaReporters.

Among those dismissed was Kazeem Badmus, a software developer highly regarded for his contributions. Colleagues noted that Badmus played a critical role in 2017 when Alpha-Beta faced a system crisis following a previous managing director’s departure, which had left the firm vulnerable.

“He helped develop a new EBS platform in just days to prevent a major operational failure,” a source said.

Another dismissed employee, Okoro, who headed the customer service department and had won multiple awards, was first redeployed without clear responsibilities amid suspicions of knowing the authors of the anonymous emails before being officially fired under the guise of performance concerns.

Akin Oderinde, another affected staff member, was reportedly targeted after discussing performance-and-profit-related bonuses during a meeting in the third quarter of 2025, suggesting Alpha-Beta adopt a system similar to Lagos Internal Revenue Service (LIRS). He was allegedly pressured to apologize afterward.

A legal officer, Joyce, also lost her position. Staff claimed her termination was to appease another lawyer, Kemi Fawole, who had been referenced in the anonymous emails in relation to a personal connection with Mr. Doherty. Joyce reportedly raised concerns at a December 2025 meeting about remaining on a contract for three years without formalization.

Two other staff members, Yemi and Awa, were dismissed due to perceived loyalty to a retired senior colleague critical of Mr. Doherty’s leadership. The retired staffer had reportedly been denied gratuity and asked to return a company vehicle, even as others in the circle received preferential treatment.

Nine additional employees were suspended, some without pay for up to two months, while others received caution letters.

Employees described a climate of fear within the company, warning that “many internal issues,” including alleged sexual harassment, could surface if leadership changes. Sources also said Mr. Doherty has frequently boasted about his political connections, including ties to government officials.

Alpha-Beta Consulting LLP has long been associated with President Bola Tinubu and has faced controversy over its involvement in Lagos State’s tax collection system, given its historical ties to the former governor.

Last week, SaharaReporters reported that Mr. Doherty allegedly threatened a former employee, Comrade Segun Oluwasanmi, during a December 2025 meeting, claiming he was connected to anonymous emails revealing internal grievances. Sources said the meeting occurred with two security personnel present and was in response to emails dated May 19, 25, and 30, 2025, from individuals identifying themselves as “Concerned Staff.”

The emails reportedly addressed issues such as lack of promotion, favoritism, and alleged nepotism involving staff and politicians, including Seyi Tinubu and Wale Edun.

One employee said Mr. Doherty “challenged us to record the meeting in which he threatened Comrade Segun Oluwasanmi while making false claims against him,” adding that the attempt was meant to intimidate the former employee. Staff noted that Oluwasanmi had already left the company when the emails were sent.

Internal correspondence from May and June 2025 accused “disgruntled employees” of authoring the emails following what the management described as forensic investigations.

Sources also mentioned Mr. Doherty’s justification for certain actions, including payments to retired staff in his inner circle and salaries paid to a former employee who resigned in 2022 but continued receiving consulting fees.