Mrs. Grace Okpara, had
enough when she decide to report to the police that she was allegedly tortured
by her bosses, who are Lebanon nationals.
Grace worked as a cleaner at a logistics company in Ibafo, Ogun State, where the Lebanese couple Joseph and Hala Yasbek were members of the management.
Grace worked as a cleaner at a logistics company in Ibafo, Ogun State, where the Lebanese couple Joseph and Hala Yasbek were members of the management.
On Wednesday, January 14,
Grace, who claimed she was dragged on the ground by her bosses during an
argument, reported the matter at the Ibafo Police Division.
Speaking with PUNCH Metro,
37-year-old Grace who hails from Ishan, Edo State, said she was assaulted for
alleged dereliction of duty.
She said,
“I work
as a cleaner at the Lebanese company, and I earn N20,000 as salary. The
incident happened on January 14 at about 11.30am. We were three working as
cleaners in the company.
“That
day, Hala said I did not clean the premises very well, but as I tried to
explain, she kicked me and I fell. Minutes later when the husband showed up, I
reported Hala to him, but he also slapped me.
“I
fell ill after the incident and went to the hospital for treatment. I was
treated at a private hospital in Ibafo. I was discharged on Thursday and then
went to report to the police. The fee for my treatment was paid by the police
at Ibafo.”
Grace’s husband, Uzoma,
said they had also reported the matter to the National Human Rights Commission.
He said,
My wife has spent four
years and two months at the company. She started with N15,000 and her salary
grew to N20,000 over four years. The assault my wife suffered is part of the
inhuman treatments by bosses at the company.
“We reported to the police
and the NHRC so that they could look into this matter. My wife was assaulted at
work. This is not proper.”
When our correspondent
visited the company on Tuesday, the security personnel refused him access to
speak with the management.
However, the Yasbeks, who
have been invited by the police, said in their statement that the allegation of
torture was not true.
The couple explained that
it was Grace that attempted to beat Hala, while the husband, Joseph, tried to
protect his wife during the scuffle.
The Ogun State Police
Public Relations Officer, DSP Muyiwa Adejobi, confirmed the incident. He added
that the police were making efforts on mediation.
He said,
“The two Lebanese were
invited, and we have asked them to come back with officials of the company. The
Lebanese husband explained that it was the complainant who wanted to hit his
wife, and he had to block her (Grace) by pushing her away.
“The fact is that the two
parties had been having conflicts for some time.
“It is not a matter of assault
alone. We are trying to mediate between them.
“But if the woman feels she
had been so badly maltreated, the police can charge the matter to court.”
Punch
What nonsence what they cannot do in the western countries they come to Naija and trats us like slaves in our land.
ReplyDeleteMust not go unpunished
ReplyDeleteIF NA DERE OWN COUNTRY NA SERIOUS PUNISHMENT, OYINBO MUST SUFFER
ReplyDelete