Battered pregnant woman: Co-workers stall probe

Ossai

Police probe into the battering of pregnant Alexandra Ossai has taken a new turn as her colleagues have allegedly refused to assist investigation by not giving statements.

Ossai, a former supervisor at Toppan Printing Company, was said to have lost her seven-month pregnancy a few days after the company manager, Kaveh Noine, allegedly kicked her in the  stomach. The incident was said to have occurred in the full glare of her colleagues.

An emergency surgical operation was performed on her after she began bleeding in the early hours of December 16 2013.

A lawyer, Mr. Courage Erhuen, who took up the matter on Ossai’s behalf, said, “After the story was published, Ossai got calls from her colleagues. They warned her that she should not mention their names to the police as witnesses as they would not be giving statements. They told her that they were not ready to lose their jobs.

“As it is, what the police have done so far is to take statements from Ossai’s aunt, Mrs. Olabisi Jaiyeoba, and her younger sister, who also worked in the company. They have also taken statements from Ossai.

“At presently, they are waiting to take statements from the surgeon who is currently away from Lagos State. He will be returning after the new year.”

The investigation had been taken over by the Lagos State Police Command from the Area F Command Ikeja. The new team is headed by a Deputy Commissioner of Police. Noine, who was arrested last Friday is said to be in the custody of the command.

Before she was disengaged, Ossai allegedly earned N17,000 monthly, while two of her siblings who also worked in the same company earned N12,000. Her siblings were allegedly sacked without pay after the incident.

President Goodluck Jonathan had directed the Ministers of Interior, Mr. Aba Moro; the Minister of Labour, Chief Emeka Wogu; Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu; the Minster of Women Affairs, Hajia Zaynab Maina;  and the National Human Rights Commission, to probe the matter and recommend actions

PUNCH Metro also gathered that Ossai, who for security reasons, was discharged from Mercy Hospital Fagba where she was receiving treatment a few days ago, was admitted after suffering a relapse. She was reportedly discharged on Monday.

The Public Relations Officer of the Lagos State Public Advice Centre, Mr. Alex Omorondion told PUNCH Metrothat he had received a petition from Ossai’s lawyer.

He said, “We have received a petition on the issue from Erhuen (lawyer), so also the Ministry of Justice. We intend to follow the matter up to the Attorney General’s office. Things will pick after the new year since the company has closed for the Yuletide.” Toppan is expected to resume production activities on January 8, 2014.

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