Lagos intervenes in alleged sexual assault against ARM Pension employee

Police commence probe

Lagos State government has intervened in the sexual assault saga involving a female employee of ARM Pension Managers (PFA) Ltd and her male colleague following an official party of the firm.

The state’s Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA), Mrs Cecilia Dada, who disclosed this over the weekend, said beyond arresting 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 noted that WAPA was already making efforts to get help for the victim, who was said to have locked herself up and refused to pick up calls from anyone.

According to her, the Lagos State government was in touch with the company immediately after it got wind of the rape allegation to help the rape survivor.

The commissioner said the company confirmed to WAPA that they got a psychologist to counsel the victim and a private investigator.

The commissioner said 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.

She said: “We have tried to contact the woman, but she has not answered anybody’s calls. The man is already in the police custody. I am sure that the police will charge him in court once they are done with their investigations.

“Our counsellors and our social workers have tried to contact her. Although we could not get her, the company assured us they had gotten a psychologist to counsel her.”

Dada assured that the state government would follow up on her and ensure that the victim received the necessary help that would help her overcome the trauma.

The Guardian learnt that the victim, a single mother of two, had called for the 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 spiked her drink before abducting her and having “penetrative sexual intercourse” with her at a popular hotel on Chevron Drive, Lagos.

According to the victim, 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 3:00 a.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.

Meanwhile, the company had, in a statement on Wednesday, said that the accused executive had been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an independent investigation.

It reads: “ARM Pension Managers (PFA) Ltd is aware of a serious assault allegation involving our employee. We are deeply disturbed by this and are committed to addressing the situation with the utmost seriousness and sensitivity.

“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 challenging 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. We have initiated a thorough and independent investigation into the allegation and are fully cooperating with the law enforcement authorities to ensure that the investigation is comprehensive and impartial.

“The accused employee, an executive in the company, has been placed on administrative leave pending the investigation’s outcome. Additionally, we are offering support services to the complainant who has come forward, including counselling and any other resources she may need during this time.”

The company further expressed its commitment to creating a safe and respectful workplace for all employees, pledging to support the investigation and ensure transparency throughout the process.

Also, the spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed that the director was in custody. At the same time, the case has been referred to the gender desk of the command for proper investigation.