An employee of Access Bank PLC, Nigeria, was arrested, and ostensibly freed, after he was caught recording co-workers in the bank’s ‘facilities’ and selling the videos online.
Stephen Ifeanyichukwu Ejieze, a Quality Assurance Specialist at the bank’s contact centre in Oniru, Lagos State, installed cameras in the buildings washrooms to obtain videos, the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) reports.
According to FIJ, workers at the centre, which is the bank’s customer service hub, work in shifts, sometimes necessitating sleeping, bathing and preparing for work in the office. Stephen seemingly noticed a chance and started clandestinely recording colleagues.
Ejieze was caught in the act around 1:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 23, while hiding in the female washroom to record. A female staff member noticed a camera and raised an alarm, leading people to mass outside the water closet Ejieze was hiding in.
After persistent badgering, he opened the door and came out.Ejieze could not explain his presence in the female washroom, nor why he was recording videos.
According to FIJ, Ejieze was arrested Thursday and a raid conducted on his residence. Over 400 videos where found on his electronic devices, yet he was inexplicably released. Sources told the publication they suspect the bank is attempting to sweep the scandal under the rug.
Disturbed staff speaks
Staff members who suspect their videos were recorded by Ejieze expressed frustration at perceived attempts by the bank to bury the scandal.
Speaking to FIJ under condition of anonymity, they accused the bank of having little regard for their welfare due to the fact they’re mostly contract staff.
According to them, other than the release of Ejieze without facing any charges, the bank has instituted new policies banning workers from staying behind. The bank also warned that if the incident is repeated, those involved will be severely punished, stoking fears this time, there will be no punishment.
“We are just contact staff and not really rated. Any little thing, and you get tossed in the trash,” one source told FIJ. “Some people in the videos don’t even know they are there. A lot of people are depressed just with the fear that they may be there. Many are traumatised already, and there is no support offered by the organisation.”
