Photo: Lebanese Bosses Allegedly Torture Nigerian Woman in Ogun State

A woman, Mrs. Grace Okpara, has reported to the
police that she was allegedly tortured by her
bosses, who are Lebanon nationals.
According to PUNCH, 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.
It was learnt that 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 PUNCH 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."