HOUSTON – A Nigerian national has filed a lawsuit against Wal-Mart in response to an incident in which the business accused him of shoplifting.
Recent court papers filed on Apr. 25 in the Harris County 165th District Court explain that employees at the Wal-Mart No. 772 located at 3506 Highway 6 South in Houston in August 2015 wrongfully detained Akindele Ojo on claims he stole some footwear.
According to the complaint, one worker physically obstructed and restrained Ojo as he was about to leave the store after paying for his items while another approached him and called him a thief.
Despite the plaintiff’s insistence that he never stole anything in his life, the suit says, the employees brought him to a room where he was met by the store’s security staff.
Ojo claims his request for proof supporting his detainment were denied as the defendant attempted to get him to admit to stealing an old pair of size 10 slippers, alleging a law enforcement official then came and handcuffed him.
His family brought his receipt along with his purchases from the period of August 13-16, but Wal-Mart and the arresting officer refused to acknowledge either one, the original petition says.
The complainant was reportedly led out of the store shoes and in handcuffs.
Ojo contends that the subject event occurred because of his nationality.
Consequently, he seeks unspecified monetary damages and a jury trial.
Attorney Ronald K. Lovett of the Lovett Law Firm in Houston is representing the plaintiff.
Harris County 165th District Court Case No. 2017-27521