Grieving Mother Sues Promasidor for $250,000 Over Son’s Death at Lagos Factory
A bereaved mother, Mrs. Susan Ogbu, has filed a $250,000 (₦300 million) lawsuit against Promasidor Nigeria Limited, its parent company Promasidor Holdings, and five other parties, accusing them of negligence that led to the tragic death of her 26-year-old son, Patrick Ogbu.
The case, lodged at the National Industrial Court in Lagos (Suit No: NICN/LA/361/2024), claims Patrick died as a result of gross negligence and unsafe workplace conditions.
Also named in the lawsuit are:
- Mr. Dapo Omolade (operator of Dapo Omolade Empowerment Initiatives)
- Hybrid Group Limited
- Hybrid HSE Limited
- Bohlar Integrated Services
- The Minister of Labour and Employment
Through her counsel, David Kupolati, Mrs. Ogbu is seeking ₦300 million in compensation and ₦150 million in general damages. Additionally, she wants the court to impose 21% annual interest on the judgment sum until full payment is made, as well as ₦5 million in legal costs.
How It Happened
According to the suit, Patrick joined a Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) trainee program operated by Omolade and Hybrid Group on April 1, 2024. The training, based on a March 4 offer letter, promised technical skills development and a ₦65,000 monthly stipend.
On August 9, 2024, Patrick was posted to Promasidor’s Lagos factory through an arrangement involving Bohlar Integrated Services. Tragically, just hours after resuming work, he reportedly fell from the rooftop into a warehouse and died instantly.
Mrs. Ogbu attributed his death to “gross negligence and unsafe practices” by the defendants. “The unfortunate, sad and premature death of her son arose due to the failure of the defendants to ensure proper safety protocols,” she stated.
Demands for Accountability
Mrs. Ogbu is also urging the court to:
- Direct the Minister of Labour to investigate the DOME initiative’s operations
- Sanction all involved parties found culpable
- Order a full health and safety audit of Promasidor’s facilities in Lagos and Ogun
- Conduct a formal inquiry into Promasidor’s labour practices
Defence Responds
The first to fourth defendants, represented by counsel Azeez Alaka, denied all claims. They argued that Dapo Omolade operates independently and is not a subsidiary of Hybrid Group. According to them, the DOME program is a legitimate initiative aimed at equipping Nigerian youths with practical HSE skills.
They blamed Patrick for violating safety procedures, stating he allowed workers onto the rooftop without a valid Permit to Work and followed them despite not being adequately trained. He had reportedly been instructed to enforce the “No Permit, No Work” policy.
The defence also dismissed the claim that the training scheme was exploitative. They maintained it was a sponsored, skill-building platform offering stipends and hands-on experience to participants.
Mother Challenges Training Legitimacy
Contrary to their position, Mrs. Ogbu described the program as a deceptive scheme designed to exploit young Nigerians as cheap labour across multiple project sites.
What’s Next?
As the case unfolds, all eyes remain on the court’s judgment and the potential implications for workplace safety standards in Nigeria’s manufacturing sector.
References
Grieving Mother Sues Promasidor for $250k Over Son’s Death at Lagos Factory