Many Nigerian women face sexual harassment on a daily basis at their places of work. Few are able to summon the courage to kick against the act. In a landmark case and victory, one courageous woman has bucked the trend…
A former employee of Microsoft Nigeria, Mrs. Ejieke Maduka, has been awarded N39.6 million by the National Industrial Court after she filed a sexual harassment complaint against Mr. Emmanuel Onyeje, former Country Manager of Microsoft Nigeria and her former boss.
Ejieke said she was sacked after refusing to succumb to the sexual demands of her former boss.
Guardian reports:
The claimant had in the suit said that she was sacked for refusing to succumb to the sexual advances of her immediate boss, Mr. Onyeje, as well as an insider dealing involving Mr. Majekodunmi.
She also sought a declaration that the termination of her employment by the 1st and 2nd respondents through their agent, the 3rd respondent, was as a result of her refusal to succumb to the sexual harassment from the 3rd respondent.
The claimant further stated that the ratification of her termination by the 1st, 2nd, 3rd respondents and the subsequent conduct of the respondents constituted a violation of the applicants Fundamental Right to Human Dignity and Freedom from Discrimination, as guaranteed by Section 34 and 42 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
But the first defendant (Microsoft Nigeria Limited) asked the court to dismiss the suit on the ground that it has a right to hire and fire the claimant, adding that her sack had nothing to do with her alleged refusal to succumb to the sexual advances of her immediate boss.
The 1st respondent stated that it was not only the claimant’s employment that was terminated but that others were also affected, as the company was restructuring and downsizing at the time.
The company also denied that Onyeje sexually harassed the claimant, while Microsoft Corporation, on its part, prayed the court to strike its name out from the suit, as it did not employ or sack the claimant, adding that it owed her no duty of care.
On his part, Onyeje denied ever sexually harassing the claimant. His only witness, Awawu Olumide Sojunri, who testified during the trial, said she never saw him sexually harass any female staff. She, however, admitted during cross examination that while on an official trip to Atlanta, the United State, Onyeje touched and poked her, as well as some of her colleagues.
But the court, which had earlier struck out Majekodunmi from the suit on the ground that he is not a proper party in the judgment, held that the claimant is entitled to an award of general damages in the interest of justice, since she has disposed to the fact that her annual pay is N13. 225million.
Justice Obaseki-Osaghae stated that there was no evidence of downsizing or restructuring at the material time before the court; neither were the names of the other employees who were also affected by the exercise provided before the court.