Aremu Denies Fraud Allegation, Says He Has Refunded ₦30m in Customs Clearing Dispute

 

A licensed customs clearing and freight-forwarding agent, Mr Fawole Abiola Aremu, has denied allegations of fraud levelled against him by online personality Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, describing the controversy as a contractual commercial dispute between business partners.

Aremu, who has 23 years of professional experience in the maritime and logistics sector, said he had refunded ₦30 million out of the money advanced to him by Dr Israel Agimor Eshanekpe for a container-clearing transaction.

He made the clarification in a press briefing dated October 20, 2026, in Lagos, following social media publications concerning the transaction and a broadcast by VeryDarkMan on October 8.

According to Aremu, the dispute arose in July 2026 when he was introduced to Eshanekpe while arranging funds to clear 10 containers with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

He said both parties subsequently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), under which Eshanekpe was expected to provide ₦200 million to finance the transaction.

Aremu explained that the agreement stipulated that the capital would be repaid upon successful completion of the transaction, with profits shared in a 70:30 ratio in Eshanekpe's favour.

However, he alleged that Eshanekpe initially provided only ₦96 million instead of the agreed ₦200 million, promising to pay the outstanding amount later.

Aremu further stated that, at Eshanekpe's request, they visited the NCS headquarters to verify the authenticity of the transaction, where he introduced him to two retired officers, DC Williams Okpabi and AC Illiya Binga, who he said were assisting with the transaction.

He, however, categorically denied introducing Eshanekpe to any Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs or taking him into such an officer's office.

"I state categorically that at no time did I introduce Dr Eshanekpe to, or take him into the office of, any Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs," he said, describing the allegation as untrue.

Aremu said that three days after making the partial payment, Eshanekpe informed him that he no longer wished to proceed with the transaction.

According to him, Eshanekpe subsequently accused him of being a fraudster, alleging that security officials had confirmed that the containers did not exist, and demanded an immediate refund of the money.

Aremu maintained that the transaction was genuine but said he eventually refunded ₦16 million under pressure, promising to pay the outstanding balance.

He disclosed that in September 2026, representatives of the Martins Vincent Otse Initiative contacted him over the allegations, leading to a proposed settlement agreement facilitated by the initiative.

According to him, the agreement acknowledged the ₦16 million already refunded and documented an outstanding balance of ₦80 million, which he undertook to pay on or before October 2, 2026.

He alleged that the settlement arrangement was reached under considerable external pressure, claiming that he was warned of possible public attacks on his reputation if he failed to meet the deadline.

Aremu said he subsequently paid another ₦14 million in good faith, bringing the total amount refunded to ₦30 million.

He stated that documentary evidence of the payments and the agreements was available.

The freight-forwarding agent expressed displeasure that VeryDarkMan's October 8 broadcast allegedly portrayed him as a fraudster without acknowledging the ₦30 million repayment.

He also faulted the online personality's reference to an Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs in connection with the transaction, insisting that no serving officer of the NCS was involved at any stage.

Describing the matter as a civil commercial dispute, Aremu said he remained committed to settling his outstanding financial obligations while exploring appropriate legal options over the publications.

"This remains a civil commercial dispute between business partners—one that has been subjected to external pressure and trial by media," he said.

He added that he had instructed his legal counsel to examine the legal implications of the publications, which he described as defamatory.

Aremu urged his clients, business associates and members of the public to disregard what he called misleading narratives circulating online, maintaining that neither his reputation nor that of any serving or retired Customs officer should be implicated in the disagreement.

He also expressed his willingness to resolve the matter amicably with Eshanekpe and Agimor Group Limited.

"When trade disputes go wrong, like we have in this case, I elect to be on the path of civility and decorum without mudslinging. I look forward to amicably settling with my partner, Dr Israel Agimor Eshanekpe," he said.

Reaffirming his position, Aremu denied being a fraudster or being on the run, while reiterating that no serving or retired Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs was involved in the transaction.

The allegations and counterclaims could not be independently verified from the statement alone. Eshanekpe and VeryDarkMan's responses were not included in the briefing.