We had heard about this story, but had thought to let it be as we felt that the whole imbroglio might have been a storm in the teacup that would be resolved very easily and quickly, so that all would go their ways and bygones would have just been bygones. But alas instead of that to have been the case, the whole thing just escalated further and degenerated to a very fiasco!
Banke Meshida Lawal, is the boss at BMPRO, which is probably one of the biggest names/brands in her line of business. She's the make up artist on speed dial to the celebrities and stars worth their salts, as she doesn't come cheap at all.
Her 2 combatants were her own former staff members- Damilade Williams & Annabelle Warrie, who according to the gist felt they had done their bits, after a combined 12 years (7 & 5 years) experience working for Banke and could now become independent, maybe they were 2 of her best.
Apparently seeking for independence didn't go well with their boss or maybe there were some unresolved rancour already festering which weren't spoken of or addressed before they left, the next thing was that both were accused of ₦28 million Naira fraud/theft! Twenty what millions? Over how long?
The first thing to ask is, how come that colossal amount was left just laying around just like that? If the deed wasn't perpetrated in one fell swoop, how come it took getting to that massive level before the internal mechanism set up against such from happening didnt pick up on it earlier until it became Twenty plus millions?
How come it was after these duo had left, that such discovery was made? Not just that alone, both were immediately arrested and then thereafter were tricked as they were transferred immediately to Abuja? Is it that the Lagos arm of the police as a whole, was incompetent to be able to handle that little case of alleged misappropriation?
Loads of questions have flashed through our mind that has begged for some answers, but that has remained unanswered. Access to the 2 was denied while in detention, and even their boss who made sure they were arrested had remained taciturn.
Imagine that in late September of 2017 after their cordial resignation, the police visited the duo's home in Surulere to affect the arrest of the 2 on a petition by Mrs. Lawal alleging that both "had profited from their former company's brand and diverted the company's funds to their personal accounts.
The allegation was that they had used the company's brand to collect businesses for themselves, where payments were made, such was not remitted to the company and jobs were not executed, so the clients that had supposedly paid were very angry.
So the Police visited the duo's home & met only one of them, whose arrest or invitation they made, to answer to the allegations, she couldn't go home that they as she couldn't make her bail. The other lady later cane too, to make her own statement too. It was after this that the police drama began. From Onikan to Alagbon and before they knew what was happening off to Abuja, after the Police had lied that they were being transported back to their Surulere Lagos home!
In Abuja they were further detained for more days, but by now the allegations had changed again, has it had to be reconstructed! But why did the Police lie, when they could have just said they were transferring the duo to Abuja? Also were they already convicted by any competent court of law, for them to have been tagged "criminals" at the airport by the police as they were being transported to Abuja?
The question to also ask is this, it's obvious that they were going to be "taught a major lesson they would never forget in their lives for both "conniving to leave together" at the same time, to unite to form their own company". Maybe they were both 2 of the best hands, who had also gained a massive followership while at BMPro and even after leaving were still getting jobs from their former customers at BMPro. But "why kill a mosquito or mosquitoes with a sledgehammer"?
Could the girls have done various deals? O yes they could have and most probably have done some before, but ₦28 million Naira?????? They would have had to do ₦500000 job 56 times to accumulate such. If that be so, over what length of time was these diversions, misappropriation, fraud, theft perpetrated?
Another question to ask is, were the Police able to trace that ₦28 million to the accounts of the duo? Who were these clients that were swindled and didn't get value for their monies and therefore were very angry and so wanted their pound of flesh?
I know banke from way way back in the days of unilag and chapel of the healing cross was our church back then, she just started her make up thingy and she was cool and humble. I read all sorts of comments now about her being proud and treating only rich people and celebrities with respect. I find it hard to believe because she did not grow up a 'rich kid'.
ReplyDeleteThat is why I have regard for TARA. I personally knows couple of girls that has left her and when I asked after them, I have never heard any bad or negative remarks from her about those girls.
DeleteIf this report is true,Banke should get herself together and as MAN IS NOT GOD and also realize that a servant cannot serve her master forever. Only in Nigeria
Tara is level headed! You can't compare goldfishes to crabs!
DeleteI’ve heard similar about Tara and that she treats her staff fairly.
DeleteBanke’s makeup is stale in my eyes. Others have caught up and possibly even overtaken her. I have seen people’s faces made up by Anita Brows, Bimpe Onakoya and Huddayah and I have gone wow. The lady that passed on a few years ago was also very good. Ewar by Nike Ogungbe.
Don't you know, Money changes people?
ReplyDelete11.24 PLEASE PREACH!!!
DeleteSorry meant 11.25AM. PLEASE PREACH
DeleteHow much does banke charge? Just curious
ReplyDeleteI will like to know as well.
DeleteI didn't read about her arrogant ways, I heard about it from her so called customers.
ReplyDeleteIn life you don't get to know people's real behaviour until they become rich.
On this issue, she's just pained that they're leaving and would snatch her customers and use her name...but then she's also used them cos she didn't treat them well in biz.
For the girls, this too shall pass.
At Mama Borngirl Well said. Tell me again about seeing people's real character when they are rich; Linda Ikeji happens to be one of those people
DeleteMama born girl and anon 11.25. True talk. Money does change people.
DeleteLinda ikeji ?????? Hahahahaha! The girl play too much!
DeleteWhat is happening to Banke is unfortunate but she can handle it better. Note to business owners: this is what happens when u empower ur staff esp Nigerian Staff, most are happy to steal ur work and contacts, I learnt the hard way. All those BMpro by Demi instagram posts, i knew it would come to this. And These young ladies should learn to thread softly. Life. You live and learn.
ReplyDeletePlease, stop it. What sort of agreement existed between the concerned parties? Why wouldn't she let them leave if they wished to?
DeleteAt Mama Borngirl Well said. Tell me about knowing people's real behavior when the are rich! I know one or two of them and Linda aka Madam Banana happens to be one. She was so humble/accessible and picks up my call until she bought the HOUSE and she never responded or pick up my call again. But as God is a living God and with hard work and his grace, one day I will be a force to be a reckon to be with. Money/power changes people hands down. Like you said, to those girls and myself, THIS TOO SHALL PASS
ReplyDeleteWow! @ Linda ikeji! ๐ฑ๐ฑ๐ฑ๐ฑ!
DeleteI believe Linda ikeji's case is the case of, A man not Born into wealth but struggled and made money, hence the Napoleon syndrome! ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐!
DeleteSpot on!
DeleteThe first pix of banke is not good at all! Without reading thru the post, from that pix, she looks unpleasant and mean!
ReplyDeleteNa wa oh. That's how the ladies in question will just start disrespecting her. Instead of her to be happy that they are using her name to shine...Smh รฌwร Agbaya lรจ lรจyรญ
ReplyDeleteOlee lazy fat ass. 28 million kor 28 million ni. If she see 28 million will she know it. This fool collected 500k from my friend while she was charging 350k saying she would come herself only for her girl to come on the day of the engagement with apologies that she would come on saturday. Na lie Saturday came and it was the same girl. My friend felt like a fool and cried. We begged her only to find out this woman went for a celebritys wedding. These her girls make their money because people would rather pay them 70k than pay bimpe 500k and the 70k girl shows up. Free them this is the end of her bussiness .
ReplyDeleteFive hundred thousand Naira for make - up?
ReplyDeleteThat is eye shadow, mascara, eye pencil, foundation - liquid matte, concealer, false eyelashes, brow pencil, lipstick, gloss, rogue, - all for Five hundred thousand Naira?
Una get money....... true
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