The Lagos State Government had intervened in the matter involving a female employee of ARM Pension Managers Limited, who was allegedly raped by the Executive Director (Technical) of the firm, Abisola Gbonigi during an official party of the firm.
Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Cecilia Dada, revealed this in an interview.
Dada said beyond detaining and prosecuting the accused Executive Director who was already in police custody, WAPA was concerned about the emotional and psychological state of the victim.
She said WAPA was already making efforts to get help for the victim who it was said had locked herself up and had refused to pick up calls to speak to anyone.
She said the Lagos State Government got in touch with the company immediately it got wind of the rape allegation to help the rape survivor.
The Commissioner said that the company confirmed to WAPA that they got a psychologist to counsel the lady and also got a private investigator on the matter which was already with the police.
The Commissioner said that her ministry was collaborating with the police to ensure justice for the victim, saying that Lagos State had zero tolerance for domestic and gender violence.
“We have tried to get in touch with the woman but she has not answered anybody’s calls.
“Though, the man is already in the Police custody.
“So, I am sure that the Police will charge him to court once they are done with their investigations.
“Our counsellors and our social workers have tried to get in touch with her. Although we were not able to get her the company assured us that they have gotten a psychologist to counsel her,” the commissioner said.
Dada assured that the state government would follow up on her and ensure that the victim received necessary help that would make her overcome the trauma.
The rape victim had called for arrest of the accused executive director in a report to ARM Pensions Managers Ltd.
She alleged that the director drove her to a hotel after an office party hosted by the firm and had sexual intercourse with her without her consent.
She said the male colleague had spiked her drink before abducting her and having “penetrative sexual intercourse” with her at a popular hotel on Chevron Drive, Lagos.
She said she only realised that she was in a hotel after waking up and noticed her private parts were sore and bruised and her clothes in a pile.
“I lost total memory of every conversation and activity. My last memory of the night was 7:30 p.m. and my entire memory was wiped out which was unusual even for someone who might have drunk excessively which l didn’t.
“The next thing I knew was that l woke up and realised I was in a room fully undressed. I looked around and realised it was a hotel.
“I found my clothes in a pile along with my wig, phone and handbag.
“I checked the time, it was around 3:00a.m. My private parts were sore, bruised and painful.
“I have also formally reported this incident to the Head of HR, who is my boss, the Managing Director and another executive director,” she said.
She requested the Lagos State Government to help take her case up fully and ensure that the predator who tried to ruin her life and other accomplices be prosecuted.
The firm had said in a statement that it was aware of the serious allegation of assault that involved its employees, describing it as “deeply disturbed,” and promised to tackle the situation “with the utmost seriousness and sensitivity.”
It read, “First and foremost, our thoughts are with our colleague who has come forward. We want to express our deepest concern and support for her during this tough time.
“Sexual assault is a grave matter that has no place in our organisation and society at large, and we stand firmly against all forms of harassment or violence. This incident reportedly took place outside the office premises on the night of July 18, 2024, after an office team bonding event and involved two of our colleagues.