Olaolu Smith (not real name), a Nigerian residing in the United Kingdom (UK), is demanding a £10,500 refund from Benjamin Kuti, a popular figure known as Oluomo of Derby on X, the microblogging platform.
The aggrieved Nigerian told FIJ on Wednesday that Kuti collected the £10,500 from him as “the payment amount required to help facilitate a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) in the UK”.
Smith added that he was introduced to Kuti by a friend in October.
“As at October 1, 2024, I was facing an imminent expiration of my student dependent visa in the United Kingdom (UK) and was unable to secure a job sponsorship,” Smith told FIJ.
“While I sought ways of getting my CoS issue resolved, I was referred to Benjamin Kuti, known on X as ‘The President of Nigerians living in the UK’.
“He came highly recommended as someone capable of assisting with visa extensions.
“After contacting Mr Kuti and explaining my situation, he assured me he could arrange an extension of my visa and that of my family. He demanded a payment of £10,500, stating that he could secure a valid three-year visa extension through employment sponsorship.
“Due to the urgency and my limited options, I raised the funds through personal loans and short-term borrowing from friends. The payment was made in full, as per Mr Kuti’s instructions, into three bank accounts, on October 1 and 2, 2024.”
Smith further told FIJ that after he made the payment, Kuti provided him with a CoS that he in turn used to apply for a Skilled Worker Visa.
“I was granted a visa for a period of three years,” said Smith.
“However, after receiving the visa, I made several attempts to confirm the onboarding process for my employment.
“Since that period, and till we speak, Mr Kuti consistently dodged questions, delayed communication and eventually refused to answer my calls.”
Smith told FIJ that he received a curtailment letter from the UK Home Office on March 16.
“On March 16, I received a curtailment letter from the UK Home Office, notifying me that my visa was curtailed due to issues with the sponsor,” said Smith.
“I immediately contacted Mr Kuti, who initially promised to resolve the issue, claiming it was a misunderstanding.
“After a while, Mr Kuti agreed to refund the £10,500 I paid to him. He claimed to have had some issues with his “inside man” in the company.
“I promptly provided him with my bank details, but despite numerous follow-ups, he refused to refund the money and went on to block me on all the platforms I could have used to communicate with him.
“He still has my £10,500 and has not refunded a dime to me.”
OLUOMO OF DERBY ISSUES A RESPONSE TO FIJ
When FIJ contacted Kuti via WhatsApp, for a response to Smith’s claims, he said:
“I would like to clarify my involvement regarding the individual’s (Smith) situation that has been brought to your attention.
“Firstly, I did not collect any money from this person (Smith) directly. I merely introduced him to a company that I believed could assist with his visa needs. At the time of referral, the company was in good standing and had the appropriate sponsorship licence.
“The Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) was successfully issued to him. Unfortunately, several months later, the UK Home Office revoked the company’s sponsor licence, a matter entirely outside my control. This unexpected revocation ultimately affected the visa status of individuals sponsored by the company, including the gentleman in question.
“I did communicate with him and made efforts to speak with the company on his behalf. I expressed a willingness to help mediate due to the referral link, but I am not an employee, director or decision-maker within that company. Only the company has the capacity to process refunds or resolve sponsorship-related issues directly.
“It is also important to address that I feel targeted because of my public profile. This individual has contacted multiple media outlets and is portraying the matter in a way that it’s also trying to defame me. FIJ is, in fact, the sixth media-related platform or individual to reach out to me over this matter.
“Once again, I empathise with his situation and the challenges he is facing, but I must reiterate: I did not collect the funds, I am not in possession of any money, and I do not have the power to issue a refund.
“The issue stems from a Home Office decision impacting the sponsoring company.
“The company is actively working to reinstate its licence and resolve its issues with the Home Office. I will continue to encourage him to communicate and address all outstanding concerns directly.”
SMITH REACTS TO OLUOMO’S RESPONSE
When Smith was notified of Kuti’s claims and position on the matter, he issued a counter-response:
“I was never introduced to the company, I didn’t know anyone in the company,” said Smith.
“He (Kuti) only sent account details to me so I could send the money to him. After this, he sent me the CoS.
“At no point or time did I have any contact with any representative of the company.
“Two months after the CoS was issued, the company withdrew it.
“Their licence wasn’t revoked. I’ve checked the company several times, and they are still on the sponsors list. The explanation he (Kuti) gave then was that he had an issue with his contact within the company, hence the reason it was withdrawn.
“That was when he promised me that a refund would be made even if it was going to be in tranches. After this, he stopped answering my calls. For a whole month, no communication, no refund.”