June 22, 2010
I write to register my protest over the absolute and utter humiliation my person was subjected to by staff of your 2nd Avenue, Festac Town branch in the early hours of yesterday.
HEREIN LIES MY CASE.
Between 8:15am and 8:40am yesterday Tuesday 22nd of June 2010, I visited your 2nd Avenue, Festac Town branch to make a withdrawal from my account No 00315000033 domiciled at your Obafemi Awolowo (1) branch, Ikeja, Lagos. (I was told this particular A/C No is no longer valid and I’m still waiting for the new A/C No.)
However to my dismay, I was refused entry into the banking hall at the point of entry on the grounds that I use a walking aid (Crutches to be precise). For the benefit of record purposes, I’m currently battling with a diagnosed case of Giant Cell Tumours of the left femur, which necessitates my usage of the earlier stated walking aid to ambulate.
Now, while I do appreciate the need for bank to maintain high-level security procedure and processes, barring physically challenged people access into their banking halls I dare say is ridiculous and absurd. Also, for your staff to ask me to bring my cheque book so the withdrawal could be made on my behalf further makes the whole situation preposterous as I kept wondering why people who could treat me with such indignities and unwarranted suspicion expected me to repose my own confidence in them.
All my efforts to explain to them that I was a bonafide account holder of the bank fell on deaf ears. Even after I requested to see the so called “madam” who could give the directive that I be allowed in the banking hall to carry out my legitimate transaction, my request was declined as I was told that it was only if I gave them my cheque book to make the withdrawal on my behalf would suffice.
To say the least, their action not only impugns on my person, but also smacks of transparent discrimination against the handicapped. For anyone to suggest that people who walk with the aid of crutches or any other type of walking aid for that matter cannot be trusted is laughable and wicked.
My initial reaction was that perhaps their position was the company’s policy as it relates to the physically challenged, but after ruminating over the likelihood of this, I knew it was not possible as I had never been subjected to this kind of humiliation on account of my condition in any other branch of Bank PHB or any other bank for that matter. Why I had to be subjected to such indignities still befuddles my mind and I would gladly like to know WHY.
All the above I do believe can be corroborated from the CCTV footages of yesterday.
Already, my lawyers have been briefed as I do intend to seek redress in the court of law and court of public opinion.
Thank You.
Yours Sincerely,
Arulogun Olabusoye
Add: No. 25 Bank Road, Satellite Town Estates, Satellite Town, Lagos.
Tel: 08033019801, 08057073760.
Email: "[email protected]"
TO: The Managing Director
Bank PHB Plc.
Victoria Island
Lagos.
Cc: Banwo, Adeyemo & Igbokwe
Editor, Guardian Newspapers
Editor, ThisDay Newspapers
Editor Nigerian Tribune
Editor, Punch Newspapers
Editor, Next Newspapers
Editor,Vanguard Newspapers
Editor, BusinessDay
Editor, City People
Editor, Encomium
Editor, Global Excellence
Editor, News of The People
Civil Liberties Organisation
The DG, Consumer Protection Agency
Consumer Rights Organisation
The Market Ombudsman
The Producer, NTA Newsline
The Coordinator TV Continental
The Producer, Sunrise on Channels Television
HEREIN LIES MY CASE.
Between 8:15am and 8:40am yesterday Tuesday 22nd of June 2010, I visited your 2nd Avenue, Festac Town branch to make a withdrawal from my account No 00315000033 domiciled at your Obafemi Awolowo (1) branch, Ikeja, Lagos. (I was told this particular A/C No is no longer valid and I’m still waiting for the new A/C No.)
However to my dismay, I was refused entry into the banking hall at the point of entry on the grounds that I use a walking aid (Crutches to be precise). For the benefit of record purposes, I’m currently battling with a diagnosed case of Giant Cell Tumours of the left femur, which necessitates my usage of the earlier stated walking aid to ambulate.
Now, while I do appreciate the need for bank to maintain high-level security procedure and processes, barring physically challenged people access into their banking halls I dare say is ridiculous and absurd. Also, for your staff to ask me to bring my cheque book so the withdrawal could be made on my behalf further makes the whole situation preposterous as I kept wondering why people who could treat me with such indignities and unwarranted suspicion expected me to repose my own confidence in them.
All my efforts to explain to them that I was a bonafide account holder of the bank fell on deaf ears. Even after I requested to see the so called “madam” who could give the directive that I be allowed in the banking hall to carry out my legitimate transaction, my request was declined as I was told that it was only if I gave them my cheque book to make the withdrawal on my behalf would suffice.
To say the least, their action not only impugns on my person, but also smacks of transparent discrimination against the handicapped. For anyone to suggest that people who walk with the aid of crutches or any other type of walking aid for that matter cannot be trusted is laughable and wicked.
My initial reaction was that perhaps their position was the company’s policy as it relates to the physically challenged, but after ruminating over the likelihood of this, I knew it was not possible as I had never been subjected to this kind of humiliation on account of my condition in any other branch of Bank PHB or any other bank for that matter. Why I had to be subjected to such indignities still befuddles my mind and I would gladly like to know WHY.
All the above I do believe can be corroborated from the CCTV footages of yesterday.
Already, my lawyers have been briefed as I do intend to seek redress in the court of law and court of public opinion.
Thank You.
Yours Sincerely,
Arulogun Olabusoye
Add: No. 25 Bank Road, Satellite Town Estates, Satellite Town, Lagos.
Tel: 08033019801, 08057073760.
Email: "[email protected]"
TO: The Managing Director
Bank PHB Plc.
Victoria Island
Lagos.
Cc: Banwo, Adeyemo & Igbokwe
Editor, Guardian Newspapers
Editor, ThisDay Newspapers
Editor Nigerian Tribune
Editor, Punch Newspapers
Editor, Next Newspapers
Editor,Vanguard Newspapers
Editor, BusinessDay
Editor, City People
Editor, Encomium
Editor, Global Excellence
Editor, News of The People
Civil Liberties Organisation
The DG, Consumer Protection Agency
Consumer Rights Organisation
The Market Ombudsman
The Producer, NTA Newsline
The Coordinator TV Continental
The Producer, Sunrise on Channels Television
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