A skin-care therapist, Pamela Onyeagusi and Justice Zainab Bashir, a judge at the Abuja National Industrial Court, engaged in a blame game after a cosmetic procedure on the judge’s skin resulted in burns.
Onyeagusi accused the judge of harassing her and making her life unbearable after she (Bashir) complained that the cosmetic treatment was unsuccessful.
However, Justice Bashir accused the therapist of damaging her skin, adding that she had to travel out of the country to treat herself.
The PUNCH reported that the judge approached Onyeagusi at her residence in Utako, Abuja, on May 8, 2022, to undergo facial, thigh, and stomach treatments after being referred by the therapist’s client.
After the procedures were finished, the judge was reported to have given the therapist $2,000 on the spot and the remaining N500,000 two days later.
The calm, however, was short-lived because the judge complained that days after the procedure, her face was breaking out.
Pictures obtained showed the burns on the judge’s skin after the botched procedures.
Onyeagusi stated that the judge was aware of her skin conditions when she came for the treatment.
She said, “She came to my office on referral from one of my clients. When she came, I didn’t know she was a judge. She wanted facial, thigh and stomach treatments. She had acne on her face, black thighs, and stretch marks and also wanted laser hair removal.
“She had facial treatment and because of the many blackheads on her face, we used extractor on her. Her thighs were bad and when she requested the treatment, I told her it was quite painful and not advisable for her since she had undergone previous liposuction and other surgeries.
“But she insisted that I should do it that she didn’t like the way her thighs looked.
“So, she spent about three hours in our facility that day and afterwards, she sent her driver to pay $2,000 cash and the balance of N500,000 was paid on May 10.
“However, she complained about her face breaking out which I told her was as a result of the acne; she came to my place and I used ice to massage it for her. I later advised her to use honey and even sent her the type of honey to apply.
“For her thighs, I advised there was the need for her to avoid putting pressure on them and that she should relax and avoid moving around for some days. However, she travelled the very next day being May 9. She even did double trips to Jos and Lagos.
“By May 13, she called and requested a refund of the money she paid for the services. Before her call, the client who referred her to me called and told me she was a judge and had been complaining that she didn’t get satisfaction from my procedure and so, I should refund her.”
Onyeagusi asserted that when Bashir called for a refund, she sent back the money out of concern for getting into more trouble. She also stated that she did not hear from the judge until September, when she (Onyeagusi) decided to call as a courtesy.
“The moment she picked the call, she started threatening me that once she returned from the United States, she would teach me a lesson. Since then, I have not known peace. My BP sometimes rises to 200. I have not been able to concentrate to do my work and I am nursing twins. I have begged the woman, sent people to beg her but nothing has worked. I do not know why she is bent on ruining my life. She knows the truth in this whole issue. She knows how her body was when she came to my place,” she added.
Onyeagusi claimed that while she was away on Tuesday and Wednesday, some police officers were at her home.
It was gathered that a letter was sent by one of Bashir’s lawyers, Ganiyu Bello, dated October 7, which alleged Onyeagusi of criminal misrepresentation, negligence, and causing bodily harm.
In the letter, Bashir mentioned the side effects from the cosmetic procedures she experienced and urged Onyeagusi to take action to fix the problem to prevent legal action.
The court received a copy of the letter as a direct criminal complaint, it was learned.
In a response letter sent by Onyeagusi’s lawyer, Fredricks Ituka, SAN, dated November 30, the therapist denied the allegations of recklessness and negligence, adding that she would be “willing to have a meeting for a peaceful resolution of the issues.”
When contacted Justice Bashir, said all the allegations against her were untrue.
While threatening the reporter (PUNCH MAN)with a libel suit, she said the matter had been sent to the Consumer Protection Commission, Abuja, adding that Onyeagusi destroyed her skin.
She said, “I am not in Nigeria currently because I came for treatment. She injured me and I’m using my money for my ticket, accommodation, and treatment. I don’t need her money but the lady must face justice. The case is already with the Consumer Protection Commission, Abuja. I will advise you to wait or contact them. They have invited her to the commission because she’s not fit to be running that business.
“All I went for was a facial treatment but she brought out a laser machine and said she could operate it. I didn’t know she could not and she burnt my face and skin.
“Have you seen where she is operating? She’s operating in one filthy place and she calls the place her house and also where she injured people. The police are aware that she has injured several persons. If I wanted to arrest her, I would have done that since May when it happened. I won’t say more. But the moment you write anything about me that is not correct, my lawyers will sue you.”
Another letter which was written by another of Justice Bashir’s lawyers, Babs Akinwumi, dated December 14, to the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, calling the agency to investigate the qualification and certification of Onyeagusi was also obtained.
An official from the Consumer Protection Commission, Oluchi Uchenwa, confirmed the story but would not elaborate.
“The officer handling the matter is not on seat. She is the only person that can give you any update that you need,” she added.
