By Omowumi Hannah, Ibadan

A personal Assistant to the Chief Executive Officer of Ebsol Luxury, Ibadan, Meroyi Nifemi Chidalu, has alleged persistent assault and maltreatment by her boss, Raji Ibrahim Babatunde.

The young lady made the allegation on Wednesday, claiming her principal consistently slapped her for failing to unlock her personal phone for him.

The lady noted that the company, located at Brewery-Alakia, New Ife Expressway, is known for the sale of clothing materials and various unisex wears.

Chidalu said she opted for the job due to joblessness and for societal prestige, despite its paltry pay.

She alleged that the owner of the company had on several occasions made sexual advances towards her, which she declined, until Tuesday when he claimed that the police had permitted superior officers of any company to check subordinates’ phones at will.

“At first, I became surprised by the call-out. Why does he intend to check my phone?” she recalled thinking.

Chidalu described her almost three-month work experience as regrettable, alleging that Raji Babatunde had made unwanted sexual advances towards her.

“I explained my experiences with my boyfriend, Ayomide Agboola. He told me to resign at the end of the month,” she said.

The lady narrated that Raji Babatunde accused both previous ad-hoc staff and a supervisor of inflating errand charges, adding that the affected staff were dismissed without restraint.

Chidalu, who was slapped several times on Wednesday for refusing to grant access to her phone, said she fell to the ground and was given N2,000 as transport fare home.

According to her, her boyfriend was angry about the ill treatment and took her to the Alakia Police Division to lodge a formal complaint.

Meanwhile, Chidalu urged well-meaning Nigerians to save girls from workplace assault, saying Raji Babatunde has continued to threaten her with death using money and undue influence.

In his reaction, the Chief Executive Officer of Ebsol Luxury, Ibadan, Mr Raji Babatunde denied the allegations.

He said there was no time he assaulted her, adding that Meroyi had on several occasions divulged business secrets to colleagues she befriended.

Raji expressed disappointment in the staff, describing her as a betrayer.

“I knew Meroyi very well. She is a personal assistant to me. She disappointed me by revealing our organisation’s business secrets to two colleagues she befriended. She broke the office rule in that regard. She blackmailed me over non-payment of salaries. What a lie! We have over 50 staff, and I pay them all. I have told her guarantor to meet me as she threatened to resign at the end of this month,” he said.

When asked if she was assaulted and slapped, Raji denied it, saying he would unravel more about the lady in the coming days.