Multiple customers have accused Arone Energy, an Enugu State-based aerospace and energy startup, of fraudulent activities.

While speaking with FIJ on their experience, the customers said the company failed to complete product orders after receiving payments. They also alleged that Arone Energy supplied defective solar panels to them with no options for refund.

Sources also shared how the company’s near-pristine online image made it remarkably easy for them to fall victim.

Jide Oladipo (not real name), a software engineer based in Lagos, told FIJ he thought people would get good value for their money if they purchased solar panels from Arone Energy. According to him, he had been keeping tabs on the startup since the owner emerged as a finalist at the Deji Alli Arm Young Talent Award in 2022.

“When I wanted to get a panel, I did not think twice. I had known about this company since when it was a finalist in the DAAYTA pitch competition. I even looked them up as far back as when they were founded in 2021. So, it was easy for me to trust them” Oladipo said to FIJ in an interview.

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In a similar narration, Tayo Emmanuel (not real name), an Abuja-based entrepreneur told FIJ how he got to know of the company via Instagram in 2022. Emmanuel said he thought that Arone Energy was distinct and not fraudulent.

When he needed a panel, he said he decided to show support for a local business by patronising the company.

“I know the startup from Instagram. They have a couple of good reviews on their website,” Emmanuel said.

“They are also among the crop of tech companies emerging in Nigeria. I genuinely thought I was supporting a local brand when paying for this solar energy system but I turned out being the fool.”

For context, FIJ gathered that Arone Energy succeeded in raising $13,600 in investment funding in 2022.

Apart from being a Deji Alli Arm Award finalist, Arone Energy’s Powerhub also qualified it as one of the 15 startups selected for funding by the Africa Clim Accelerator in 2022.

Despite the company’s website displaying a section dedicated to positive customer testimonials, the stories shared by customers who spoke to FIJ revealed a striking contradiction.

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‘I SPENT MORE THAN N500,000 FOR NOTHING AND IT AFFECTED MY BUSINESS‘

During his interview with FIJ, Emmanuel narrated the events led him to purchasing a Luminar pro panel from Arone Energy.

“It was the beginning of raining season and I was trying to combat the effects of not having steady electricity with this solar energy system”

“I saw their advert (Arone Energy’s advert) on Instagram and paid for the panel. But when the date they gave me for delivery came, they started giving excuses. Till we speak, they are yet to deliver the panel to me.

“Mind you, I made the payment in March, this year. They assured me, when I wanted to place my order that it would take just one week or two before they delivered the panel to my residence in Abuja.

“On March 20, I paid a total sum of N510,000. I did not only pay for the Luminar panels, I also paid the money for shipping and installations. They promised me they had installers in Abuja.”

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On April 4, exactly two weeks after Emmanuel made his order, he again contacted Arone Energy to confirm the delivery status. However, he got an apology instead of the solar powered devices he had ordered.

“On April 4, I texted the company to ask for my panel. It didn’t even cross my mind that something was wrong. They apologised for the delayed delivery. They somehow stopped responding when I asked for the new delivery date. I have been texting them since that period to no avail” Emmanuel explained.

Emmanuel also told FIJ that the refusal of Arone Energy to deliver the products or respond to him has considerably affected his productivity and the performance of his brand.

“It has affected my overall business because it is not easy for any business at all to make out N500,000 from a lean budget to buy something that is supposed to assist the business and end up getting nothing,” said

“I could not afford to buy another solar energy system because it is not always easy to bring out such an amount.” Emmanuel told FIJ

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‘THEY STOPPED REPLYING ME ON JUNE 25, ABOUT A MONTH AFTER I PAID‘

Olabiyi Uzo (not real name) a Lagos State-based systems engineer, told FIJ that he made a N580,000 payment to Arone Energy for a Luminar Max panel on May 30.

Uzo said he opted for Arone Energy because he thought they had a better solution that would suit his needs at the time.

“I asked questions about the components inside the panel just to justify their price point. At that period, I wanted to use another vendor to build a customised solution. Their solution seemed better since it was portable,”

After making payment, Uzo said Arone Energy promised him a two-week delivery timeframe. However, as the two weeks sailed by, he found himself waiting, with no sign of the panel he ordered in sight.

Unsuspecting and receptive to explanations for the logistics delay, Uzo contacted Arone energy after the delivery time frame had elapsed.

Uzo said he contacted the company again to ask the company to give him another delivery date.

On July 5, Arone Energy eventually told Uzo to wait another week for the delivery of his panel.

Uzo told FIJ that his last correspondence with Arone Energy was on July 13.

“They stopped replying me on July 25. I had suspected something was wrong when I texted them on July13,” said the systems engineer.

“When I texted them to be transparent with me, they assured me that nothing was wrong with my order. Till date, Arone Energy is yet to deliver my panel to me.”

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‘THE INVERTER THEY SOLD TO ME DID NOT WORK AT ALL‘

James Mayowa (not real name), Ondo State-based engineer, had a different experience with Arone Energy.

Mayowa told FIJ that the company shipped his delivery to his place in Ondo State, two weeks after he placed an order.

However, the product was defective right from installation.

“In July, I ordered this inverter from Arone Energy and they shipped it to me after two weeks. The mini package I opted for cost about 288k. It has the solar panel and the inverter with an in-built battery. I also paid the installer they sent to install the panel for my mother”.

“At the end of the day, the inverter didn’t work with the solar panel. It only charges when connected to the grid. Also, the installer nearly got electrocuted while troubleshooting.

“There were also points where the inverters in-built fan would not roll at all and it would have to be turned off and on, again and again. Sometimes, generated tiny sparks.”

Mayowa told FIJ that Emmanuel Ezenwere, Arone Energy owner, asked him to make an additional purchase when he reached out to him to register his displeasure.

“I personally have safety concerns for something that will be in the house with my mom,” Mayowa told FIJ.

“Kids come around that house from time to time. I have returned the box through dispatch, but they are refusing to collect it back. If they can change the panel, that would at least count for something.”

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CUSTOMERS ON X COMPLAIN ABOUT ARONE ENERGY

Several other customers of Arone Energy have voiced their grievances on social media in the past, alleging that the company was constantly involved in fraudulent practices.

On July 5, an X user with the handle @mp_maniac, accused Aron Energy of constantly insulting and blocking customers on its handle.

FRAUD ALERT❗❗❗

The Company, Arone Energy (@aroneenergy on Instagram) with RC 1969886 is a Scam, they'll sell you dead products (that's if they deliver) and then insult (and block) you for reaching out.

Attached are IDs of the Owner and Co-Founder, Beware.

cc @fccpcnigeria pic.twitter.com/hs9dEqbODm

— MPmania (@mp_maniac) July 5, 2023

Osawe Sonia, another X user, had previously levelled similar accusations against the company in 2019.

Sonia accused Arone Energy of fraud in response to a tweet announcing the founders’ award at the 2019 Total Energy Startup Awards.

Arone Energy that has been scamming Nigerians

— Osawe Sonia (@Sonia_Osawe) June 28, 2023

FIJ observed that on both occasions, Arone Energy neither refuted nor address the claims and concerns publicly.

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ARONE ENERGY’S REACTION

FIJ sent an email to Arone Energy for comments on the allegations levelled against its brand on September 25.

In response, the company’s communications sought further details on the allegations. After FIJ provided additional details like the team requested, however, the mail had not been responded to at press time.