The National Industrial Court in Ibadan has ordered Nestlé Nigeria PLC to pay N10 million in compensation for negligence that led to an injury sustained by an employee, Ilesanmi Temokun. The ruling was delivered on Tuesday.
Mr. Temokun, represented by his lawyer, Tope Temokun, filed a lawsuit against both Nestlé Nigeria PLC and Mary Bolajoko Consultancy Services Limited. He sought compensation for the injury he suffered on September 4, 2021, while working at the company’s premises. The injury occurred when an iron locker fell on him.
During the court proceedings, the claimant’s counsel emphasized that the injury was life-threatening and urged the court to grant N10 million in damages. Nestlé’s defense, led by lawyer Abraham Adeoye, argued that the case lacked merit and requested its dismissal.
In his judgement, Justice John Peters highlighted the responsibility of employers to provide a safe working environment. He noted that had the iron locker in the company’s cloakroom been properly secured, the accident could have been avoided. As a result of the incident, Mr. Temokun was diagnosed with spinal shock and was advised by doctors to avoid strenuous activities or standing for extended periods.
The judge observed that Mr. Temokun, being a young man of about 35 years old, was unfairly restricted from engaging in labor-intensive tasks due to the injury. While the court found no grounds for action against Mary Bolajoko Consultancy Services, as they were merely the recruitment agency for Nestlé, it held that Nestlé owed a duty of care to the claimant.
Justice Peters concluded, “The claimant has successfully proven his case, and I hold the first defendant liable.” The court awarded N10 million in compensation to Mr. Temokun for the injury sustained while working at Nestlé. Additionally, the court granted N500,000 in litigation costs to the claimant.
The judge further ruled that the compensation will attract an annual interest of 20 percent until it is fully paid.
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