Microsoft Nigeria Top Director, Emmanuel Onyeje In $ex Scandal

**Female Staff Drags Him To Court

The National Industrial Court has awarded the sum of N39.6 million in favour of a former Enterprise Marketing Manager of Microsoft Nigeria Limited, Mrs Ejieke Maduka, who was sacked after she complained she was $exually harassed by her immediate boss.

In a judgment delivered by Justice O Obaseki-Osaghae, the court held that Mrs Maduka’s fundamental rights were violated and her pride, dignity and sense of self-worth injured by the actions of the respondents.

The respondents in the suit were: Microsoft Nigeria Limited; Microsoft Corporation; Emmanuel Onyeje, former Country Manager of Microsoft Nigeria; and Adefolu Majekodunmi.

The claimant had in the suit said that she was sacked for refusing to succumb to the $exual advances of her immediate boss, Onyeje, as well as an insider dealing involving Majekodunmi.

She also sought a declaration that the termination of her employment by the 1st and 2^nd respondents through their agent, the 3rd respondent, was as a result of her refusal to succumb to the $exual 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 $exual 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 $exually 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 $exually harassing the claimant. His only witness, Awawu Olumide Sojunri, who testified during the trial, said she never saw him $exually 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.

More details soon..Stay tuned!

Culled from Icon Weekly Magazine.