Fresh Crisis Rocks Alpha-Beta As MD Doherty Forces Out GM, Sacks 4 Staff Over Alleged Whistleblowing

Documents and insider accounts obtained by SaharaReporters have revealed fresh turmoil at Alpha-Beta Consulting, the revenue firm widely linked to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, following the forced retirement of an executive and the dismissal of at least four staff members over alleged whistleblowing.

The development has exposed a pattern of internal repression, alleged abuse of power, and a deepening leadership crisis under the company’s Managing Director, Akin Doherty.

At the centre of the controversy is the abrupt retirement of Mrs. Olubunmi Morenikeji, General Manager and Head of Operations. She joined the firm in January 2021 and was credited with stabilising Alpha-Beta’s operations within the Lagos State internal revenue ecosystem.

Sources said Morenikeji’s removal, officially attributed to her attaining the retirement age of 60, was triggered by her criticism of Doherty’s leadership style, poor staff welfare policies, and failure to expand revenue streams.

“She was one of the few executives delivering visible results, but she became a target after openly criticising management,” a senior insider said.

Documents seen by SaharaReporters show that Doherty accused Morenikeji of masterminding anonymous emails circulated in May 2025, which criticised his leadership and called for his removal.

In a statement to authorities in June 2025, Doherty, who declared his age as 71, alleged that Morenikeji was working with other staff to force him out of office. 

“He claimed she was behind the anonymous messages and was happy with the campaign against him,” a source familiar with the matter disclosed.

*Allegations of Favouritism, Governance Failures*

Ironically, while Morenikeji was forced out, Doherty retained Dr. Kola Fajuyigbe, General Manager and Head of Business Consultancy, whom insiders described as a “non-performing loyalist.”

Documents reviewed by SaharaReporters show that Fajuyigbe, who joined Alpha-Beta in September 2018 after retiring from UBA in 2013, has allegedly failed to attract significant business to the firm.

“Performance is not the criteria here. Loyalty is,” another source said.

Further findings revealed that Doherty, now 72, assumed leadership of the company in 2017, the same year records show he was called to the Nigerian Bar under controversial circumstances.

Beyond Morenikeji’s exit, SaharaReporters gathered that at least four staff members – Oluleke, Atolagbe, Ajibade, and Gafar – were dismissed in March 2026 over alleged whistleblowing activities. The purge, according to insiders, is part of a broader pattern of silencing dissent.

A similar fate befell Mr. Femi Odubiyi, former Group Head of IT at Dangote and ex-Lagos commissioner, who was reportedly forced out after being perceived as a threat to Doherty’s position.

Odubiyi had been linked to a proposed Chief Technical Officer role recommended by consulting firm Verraki during a 2021 strategy review. The report proposed fintech solutions, API monetisation and digital banking frameworks, none of which were implemented.

“The moment leadership felt threatened by structural reforms, everything was shut down,” a source said.

In a controversial move, Doherty reportedly bypassed internal hiring restrictions to recruit Mr. Olumide Idowu in July 2022 on a one-year contract valued at ₦54 million annually. Despite concerns over his competence and the expiration of his contract, Idowu remains in the role.

Further documents reveal a pattern of governance failures, including poor communication structures, revenue leakages, and a lack of strategic direction.

A consultant hired to assess operations in 2024 reportedly resigned after being humiliated for presenting findings that highlighted leadership deficiencies.

“Who you know matters more than competence. There is clear non-compliance with procedures,” the report stated.

Meanwhile, Morenikeji’s ordeal has sparked outrage on social media, with posts on platforms like “Lagos Concern” praising her contributions and detailing her alleged humiliation.