But in this case, Zenith failed. Zenith allowed and tacitly encouraged its staff and officers to live like gods and above the law.
The DPA protest is aimed at drawing the attention of the management of Zenith to the dangers of unchecked powers.
They have handed loaded guns to their officers. They must be held responsible for not teaching their officers how to use the guns safely.
What do you think would have happened after this protest?
Zenith Bank Human Resources will hire experts to give orientations to their officers on how to avoid domestic violence.
That is a benefit that Zenith owed to society, but which it has ignored. Now, it will take a protest to achieve that.
Thirdly, when this incident occurred, Ivie and her representatives contacted Zenith Bank to inform them of the actions of their employee.
Zenith Bank threatened Ivie with severe consequences if she dared to drag their “good name” to the mud over “a family matter”.
That was the height of irresponsibility on the part of Zenith and Zenith ought to be made to pay for it in loss of business and the reputation they had gained by deception.
Fourthly, at the very least, Zenith could have accessed any of its social and humanitarian programs to help Ivie with her medical bills. But Zenith did not care.
DPA’s protest against Zenith is aimed at correcting these abnormalities and to set the record straight that those who wield power must do so with a measure of social responsibility.
We must have protested against Zenith unless and until they grant our request. Tonight, I shall send to Zenith a list of demands for them to consider. That will include the following:
(a) Payment of the medical bills of Ivie Edobor
(b) Payment of school fees of her three children for one year (since she may be out of work for at least one year as a result of the injuries), and
(c ) Payment of her rent for one year.
These are reasonable demands. If Zenith grants them, we shall stop the protest, and expect them to train their staff better in the future.
We are not asking that John Edorbor be fired. The current criminal trial will take care of that. If he is convicted, Zenith will have no choice but to fire him.
If he is not convicted, he will use the money from his Zenith job to pay child support and damages for what he did.
Emeka Ugwuonye
