A Nigerian travel agent based in Canada, Ayo Ladipo (not real name), has alleged that a business arrangement he entered into after meeting a contact on X (formerly Twitter) led to a financial loss of $120,635 CAD (about N132 million).
Ladipo told FIJ in March that his troubles began in June 2024 when he was approached online by Emmanuel Ebute, who proposed a collaboration around helping clients secure Canadian work permits, which could later support their pathway to permanent residency.
According to him, Ebute explained that their role would be limited to facilitating work permits, while permanent residency matters were outside their control.
As discussions progressed, Ladipo said Ebute introduced him to Matthew Kolawole, who was said to be connected to House of Praise and Prayer (HOPAP), a charity organisation, as well as a care home service for elderly people in Canada known as Ostat Aide.
Ebute, Ladipo recalled, claimed he worked alongside Kolawole in processing work permits and suggested opening a WhatsApp group involving all parties to improve coordination and transparency.
Trusting the arrangement, Ladipo said he created multiple group chats that included the two men and his clients who had paid for the service.
He also said he requested proof of past successful work permits, which Ebute allegedly provided, along with claims that he had been involved in such processes since earlier in the year.
Ladipo further noted that while Ebute was involved in facilitating permits for others, he himself had no immediate plans to migrate to Canada.
Before fully committing, Ladipo said he visited HOPAP in Ontario to verify Kolawole’s claimed affiliation. He was told Kolawole was unavailable at the time, but staff members were present.
The arrangement continued, and the first client reportedly made payment in July 2024, with an expected processing period of about six months.
However, by January 2025 and well into mid-year, Ladipo said there were no clear updates on the applications. He claimed repeated requests for progress were met with excuses and shifting explanations.
At one point, Kolawole reportedly suggested switching from group updates to one-on-one Zoom meetings, citing a lack of concrete progress to share in group sessions.
Ladipo later said he discovered that one of the applications had been denied without being properly communicated, while delays in resubmission were attributed to issues with an external party responsible for job offer documentation.
He also alleged that he had to step in financially to cover reapplication costs in an attempt to salvage one client’s case.
Over time, Ladipo said he realized that Kolawole was working with multiple intermediaries, including Tinuola Babafemi Nakey, who was said to issue employment letters tied to the applications.
Despite continuing to send clients throughout 2024, Ladipo said he eventually stopped engaging Kolawole after what he described as repeated delays, lack of updates, and unanswered messages.
He added that although there had been a verbal agreement for a partial refund, none had been received.
At the time of filing this report, Ladipo said neither his clients nor he had received any work permits or refunds.
FIJ reports that repeated attempts to reach Matthew Kolawole via email, WhatsApp, and phone calls were unsuccessful.
Ebute, however, responded to inquiries, acknowledging what he described as some level of negligence in the process but insisting that Kolawole was better placed to respond to the allegations. He also said he would attempt to reach him for clarification.
As of press time, Kolawole had not responded to further requests for comment.
