I have a friend in one of the South American Countries whom we met about 8 yrs back online. We occasional exchange calls via Skype, Yahoo calls and even a times on the phone. About to 2 years ago she called me with excitement in her voice that her husband just got a job in Nigeria. That even made her closer as we even chatted more because of her new tie with Nigeria. She was meant to come down to Nigeria last year August, but couldn’t make it because of the logistics involve.

I got a call from her yesterday 20th of October, where I inquire to know how she was doing because of the tone of her voice. I was really shocked to hear that her Husband died in an accident on Thursday 13th of October, while returning from Ondo State on an official assignment.

Why I need the advice is
1) The company her husband worked for only called her on Friday to inform her about the incident after of cause she could not finish the conversation due to the bad news and have since then not heard anything from the company
2) I am the only person she knows in Nigeria and she is really counting on me to fight for her right, at least in ensuring that the company seeks after her desires either to burry the Man in Nigeria or send the man’s corpse back to her Country. When I asked her what she would have preferred in this respect, she said she would actually desire the body to be sent back to her country.
3) Effort to get through to all the lines she had has proven abortive as the line are either not going through or is giving a switch off response.
4) I was able to drill further via the company’s website to get the companies physical address.
5) I probably would have reported the case to my friend’s country embassy but they do not have a point of presence in Nigeria.
I need your legal advice on what to do and how to go about it. I have limited time on my side based on the nature of my job but would be willing to hire a lawyer should the need arise. The widow is with two kids which I honestly believe they should be compensated and with the looks of things I wouldn’t be surprised if the company is trying to play smart, knowing fully well that the guy do not have any family/friends in Nigeria.

You are seen the case as a small thing but my guy be very careful not involve in a very complicated issue with somebody you've never see with your face.Best way is let her travel down to Nigeria.Don't deal with any company with her been in Nigeria with you.BECAREFUL.

@Aro_007,

Sorry for the loss of your friend's spouse. From your post, it seems the man died in an accident on his way to an official assignment which means the family deserves compensation since the death occured in the course of business.

Firstly, is the man a Nigerian? if he is then the company would not be liable for transporting the body out of the country but if he is an expatriate who was broought down to work in Nigeria then the company should be fully responsible in ensuring his body gets back to his country and is buried there.

I hope she has documents to prove that she is the lawful wife of the deceased and a proof that the man was also a staff of the company. If she does, then you need to hire the services of a lawyer who would first write to the company seeking an explanation as to the cause of the man's death and going further to place all the necessary demands. In the letter, the lawyer should stipulate a time within which a response must be gotten from the company. If the company responds, then all well and good but if they fail, a reminder is sent to them with a possible threat of a law suit.

Thanks to the last amendment of the constitution, the National Industrial court is now a superior court of record and they deal with issues concerning empolyer/employee relationship.

Good luck!

@VVGUY
Thanks for your advice, but am ready to go all the way, if that's the the least i can do. At times it is good to take a stand and not to shy away from any appearance of challenges

@uche13,

The guy is an expatriate. Thanks a million, I would act on some of the points you have mentioned.