MOTHER SUES PROMASIDOR NIGERIA, OTHERS FOR $250,000 OVER SON’S DEATH AT FACTORY

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Mrs. Susan Ogbu has filed a lawsuit demanding $250,000 in compensation from Promasidor Nigeria Ltd., its parent company Promasidor Holdings, and several other defendants over the tragic death of her 26-year-old son, Patrick Ogbu, at a factory operated by the company.

The suit, filed at the National Industrial Court in Lagos, claims gross negligence and unsafe work practices by the defendants. Mrs. Ogbu is seeking N300 million in compensation and N150 million in general damages, citing wrongful death due to the negligence of the companies and individuals involved. Additionally, she is demanding 21% annual interest on the judgment sum until it is fully paid, along with N5 million in legal costs.

Other defendants named in the case include Mr. Dapo Omolade (operating under the Dapo Omolade Empowerment Initiatives), Hybrid Group Limited, Hybrid HSE Limited, Bohlar Integrated Services, and the Minister of Labour and Employment.

The case, marked NICN/LA/361/2024, stems from an incident on August 9, 2024, when Patrick Ogbu, who had joined the HSE (Health, Safety, and Environment) trainee program operated by Omolade and Hybrid Group on April 1, 2024, was assigned to work at the Promasidor Nigeria factory. Patrick reportedly fell from a rooftop into a warehouse just hours after arriving at the factory and died from his injuries.

Mrs. Ogbu has accused the defendants of contributing to her son’s death through unsafe work conditions and negligence. She blames the accident on the poor safety practices at the Promasidor site and the lack of proper oversight from all involved parties.

Furthermore, Mrs. Ogbu is calling on the Minister of Labour and Employment to conduct an investigation into the DOME (Dapo Omolade Empowerment) initiative and impose sanctions on those responsible. She is also demanding a full health and safety audit of Promasidor’s factories and a formal inquiry into the company’s labour practices across Lagos and Ogun states.

In response, the first to fourth defendants, represented by counsel Azeez Alaka, denied the allegations. They argued that Dapo Omolade operates as an independent entity, separate from Hybrid Group. They also claimed that the DOME initiative is a legitimate training program designed to provide youth with practical experience in health and safety. According to the defence, Patrick Ogbu violated company safety protocols by allowing workers onto a rooftop without the required Permit to Work, despite not having the proper training to work at heights.

The defence further stated that Patrick had been responsible for enforcing the “No Permit, No Work” policy, and his failure to do so led to the fatal accident. They also denied that the training program was exploitative, claiming it was fully sponsored and aimed at providing stipends and experience to young Nigerians.

Mrs. Ogbu, however, contends that the program was a deceptive scheme designed to exploit cheap labour on various project sites across Nigeria.

The case continues as both parties prepare for further proceedings.