By: Umunna Kalu

Leo Njison, amputated employee of Dangote Packaging company until recently, when his appointment was terminated has cried for justice.

Leo said he had an accident on his way to the office  in 2017 and was not given the right and proper medical treatment which resulted to the amputation of his right leg.

He said the neglect and failure of the Dangote firm, located at Oba Akran, Ikeja in Lagos to provide adequate medical care made the injury to develop bone cancer.

He said even the left leg with which he manages to limp around with his  crutches has iron metal inserted into it till today.

Leo said, he  is disappointed on the “ill-treatment given to me by the Dangote Packing firm given my dedication to my job at the Engineering section”.

He explained that he was sacked without any genuine reason and without any compensation to take care of his family and present unpleasant situation of his life.

“At least, I should have been compensated if my service is no longer needed, so as to be able to take care of my family.

“I should have been given some benefit to enable me take care of my present condition, since it was in active service with the Dangote Packing firm that I sustained this sad, life injury.

He tells this reporter while sobbing and crying profusely his ordeal.

*My ordeal*

I am Leo Joshua Njison, an employee of Dangote Packaging until my appointment was terminated this January, 2024.

The incident actually occurred on that faithful day of 24th October, 2017, at 6:15am as I was going to office for resumption of my official duty.

I had an accident on the road, luckily, my colleague that was coming behind saw me at the scene of the accident. They then put a call through to our office and they sent ambulance to come and pick me up. The ambulance was with Registration NO Lagos“AGL859BD”and they took me to one of our hospitals “Hosaina Maternity Home” for First Aid”. .

After recovering from my unconsciousness, I now saw the severity of the injuries sustained.  I called the attention of our Welfare Officer, Mrs. Bukola, that she should please approach our management to quickly move me out of this place because they lack the facility to handle such cases, since they are not an Orthopedics Hospital/Medical Center.

In her reply she said if she persuade  management too much, they may think she has a personal interest, that  I am the one in pain so I should cry out. I personally called the Management,  our Head Human Resource, that he should please kindly take me out of this place, that I am dying gradually but he declined to take any action.

As a result,  after several weeks, my situation got out of hand, the right leg got heavily damaged before they now sent Jiajo Hospital from Lagos to come and take care of my situation.  Jiajo then referred me to Igbcbi Orthopedics Hospital where they discovered that the vital injuries sustained on the right leg have been contaminated with infection.

The only option to it according to the hospital was to amputate it above the knee.  When I was told by the doctor that the leg had already contaminated infection which is called Bone Cancer,  I called the Head, Admin Manager, to inform him the present situation. I was told that I should  bear with my present condition, that it is not the end of life that after amputation, nanagement wil help me tol provide artificial leg . Admin manager told me that instead of the leg to take my life, that it is better I amputate it and be alive. Then I agreed to amputate the leg, my right leg.

Month later, they also carried out surgery in my left ankle, they inserted iron inside it I am still carrying the inserted iron in my left leg till date.  That was how I was discharged with a wheelchair from the hospital, After four (4) months, I was recommended by doctor to start using crutches, So my consultant recommended for me to process my prosthetics artificial leg. I also informed our management about it severally but they declined to act.  I called the Head Human Resources(HHR) concerning the processing of the prosthetics artificial leg as directed by the Consultant.

He decline me access to hold such conversation with him until April 2019, when he ordered me to resume with immediate effect or my salary will be suspended, according to instruction from the Head Human Resources.

Without providing the artificial leg, which I needed to use I was forced to resume work. When I asked him  about the artificial leg, which I needed urgently to assist my movement,  he said I should resume  work first,  so that the management can see me, so that they can deliberate on the matter faster. So I agreed with him, and I made request from the management to lend me money so that I can secure accommodation, because I lost the first one when I was in  medical treatment.  They refused to grant my request

I had no choice than to look for a moderate lodge for six (6) months paying the bills  myself before I was able to rent an accommodation. I have suffered inhumane treatment, series of humiliation until January 12th,2024, I was served a Letter of Service no longer required without any compensation. I worked diligently and tirelessly for this company and the reward I get is a sack letter without any compensation of any sort, and without providing the artificial leg.

I humbly seek for justice. I want Alhaji Aliko Dangote to please help me as the management of his company,  Dangote Packaging located at Oba Akran in Lagos is giving his organization a bad image before the Nigerian public and beyond.

I also want good spirited Nigerians, Rights organizations to use their good offices to intervene and help in seeking Justice for me. My wife and children are suffering.