LIFESTYLE Culture

Sacked Insurance Executive Drags Firm To Reps

by admin on | 2026-07-27 18:00:24

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By Ahmad Sirajo Makama, Abuja

A former Head of Business Development and Management Staff at Prestige Assurance Plc, Ifeyinwa Edet, has petitioned the House of Representatives over what she described as the unjust, abrupt and procedurally defective termination of her employment on April 24, 2026, without payment of severance benefits.

The petition alleges discriminatory treatment, workplace intimidation and harassment, regulatory non-compliance, and corporate governance failures within the company. It further raises concerns that the circumstances surrounding her disengagement violate principles of labour law, fair hearing, equity and good corporate governance in Nigeria.

Edet maintained that despite what she described as strong performance and production records, her employment was terminated through a notification dated April 24, 2026, a development she said has had emotional impact on her.

According to the petition, she joined the company in July 2021 with an annual business target of about ₦9 billion, which she reportedly grew to approximately ₦25 billion by the end of the 2025 financial year through business development initiatives and market engagement.

Her performance was also said to have been acknowledged by the company in a confirmation letter issued in October 2022.

The petitioner disputed the reasons given for her termination, which were cited as lateness and dereliction of duty, describing them as inconsistent with operational practices in the insurance sector, where marketing executives often engage clients and brokers outside the office before official resumption time.

She contended that her disengagement was not based on inefficiency or misconduct but was punitive, discriminatory and influenced by personal hostility.

"No formal allegation was communicated to me in writing; No previous queries to justify the Company’s action; No disciplinary procedure was initiated; No panel or hearing process was constituted and report of findings issues; No opportunity was afforded to me to defend myself against the allegations levelled against her.

“The Company operates without a duly approved and effectively communicated Human Capital Policy Manual or clearly defined disciplinary framework applicable to Management Staff,” Edet explained.

Edet also drew the attention of relevant authorities to what she described as unfavourable employment contract terms within the company, urging regulatory bodies to take action where necessary.

The petition further alleged disparities in disengagement terms, noting that other management staff who exited under similar or less compelling circumstances were given more favourable conditions, while her own exit process was irregular and allegedly aimed at undermining her professional standing.

She also accused the company of breaching due process, stating that no formal allegations were communicated in writing, no queries were issued, and no disciplinary procedure or panel was constituted prior to her termination. The petition added that she was not given an opportunity to defend herself and that the company lacks a clearly defined and communicated human capital policy or disciplinary framework for management staff.

"The absence of clearly communicated employment procedures and disciplinary standards constitutes a serious governance and regulatory concern,” she said.

Edet urged the National Assembly to investigate the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Prestige Assurance Plc over alleged workplace bullying and breaches of corporate governance regulations, and to direct the company to grant her equitable exit terms in line with established precedents.

The petition has been referred to the House Committee on Public Petitions for further legislative action.