Jonathan orders probe into battering of pregnant woman

Alexandra Ossai

President Goodluck Jonathan has ordered a probe into the case of a 34-year-old woman, Mrs. Alexandra Ossai, who accused her Lebanese boss, Kaveh Noine, of causing her to lose her seven-month pregnancy after he kicked her in the stomach.

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, disclosed this in his Twitter handle as well as his Facebook page on Thursday.

PUNCH Metro had on Tuesday published the story of Ossai, who until December 13, 2013, was a supervisor with a Lebanese owned firm, Toppan Printing Company. She had alleged that Noine assaulted her many times during her eight months stay at the company.


Currently at a private hospital in the Fagba area of Lagos State, Ossai was said to have undergone emergency surgery four days after the kick to save her life as her placenta was said to have been damaged.

Abati said Jonathan was shocked when he learnt of the development and had directed the Nigeria Police Force to investigate the matter.

He said the President had also directed four ministers – Mr. Aba Moro (Interior), Chief Emeka Wogu (Labour), Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu (Health) and Hajia Zaynab Maina (Women Affairs) – as well as the National Human Rights Commission, to probe the matter in order to recommend sanctions and remedial actions.

He said, "President Jonathan was shocked by reports of a pregnant Nigerian worker losing her baby after being beaten up by her Lebanese employer.

"The President has ordered the police, ministers of Interior, Labour, Women Affairs, Health and the NHRC to investigate for sanctions and remedial action."
Source: Punch