Human rights organisations have protested against the alleged dehumanisation of four employees of the Signatious Hotel, Warri, Delta State by the management.
The hotel’s chairman Kenneth Gbagi, a former minister of state for education, was alleged to have ordered that the workers – three women and a man – be stripped naked. Their nudes went viral on social media on Tuesday.
The affected employees are named Gloria Oguzie, Victor Ephraim, Rosslyn Okiemute and Precious Achibong.
Some right groups protested against the act in Asaba, Delta State capital and urged the state commissioner of police Hafiz Inuwa to investigate the incident.
Director, Young Nigerian Right Organisation Victor Ojei who led the protest alleged that the hotel owner ordered the arrest of the workers over N5,000.
“Last week Friday, the management of the hotel stripped the ladies naked, filmed them in the presence of the police and at gunpoint. Cash was also withdrawn from the victims’ accounts through their ATM cards, before the police bundled them into a waiting van,” he said.
“The police, who should protect the citizens, connived with the hotel management and dehumanised them. Let’s assume that they stole the money, there are channels to address such matters.”
The hotel management and Gbagi have denied the allegations.
It was gathered that the workers were arraigned on five counts of stealing various sums from the hotel, including N156,000; N111,000; N5,000 and N2,000. They were admitted to bail in liberal terms.
Delta police spokesperson Onome Onovwakpoyeya said she was not aware that the workers were stripped naked.
