Employer Facing 12 Labour Charges Delays Case Awaiting Results Of Separate Probe

1:32

By Alric Lindsay

The criminal prosecution of an employer facing twelve separate counts of labour exploitation and wage abuse was put on hold today, October 21, 2026, while his defence lawyer, Richard Barton, coordinates with authorities over a second, parallel investigation.

Kofoworola Abiose appeared before Chief Magistrate Hernandez to face a sweeping twelve-count criminal allegations detailing extensive violations of the Labour Act. The charges include the following:

** Non-payment of minimum wage

** Failure to pay overtime

** Failure to pay wages

** Failure to provide sick leave pay

** Failure to provide public holiday pay

** Failure to provide statements of wages

** Failure to provide vacation pay

** Failure to provide rest periods

** Making a false representation (x4)

Defence attorney Barton informed the bench that he has entered into active discussions with the Assistant Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, Scott Wainwright. Barton explained that Abiose is currently the subject of a separate, ongoing parallel investigation that may directly impact the legal position in the current case.

Barton noted that after holding multiple legal conferences with his client, the defence plans to formulate a “global representation” to submit directly to the Crown once all pending charges are fully brought to light. Chief Magistrate Hernandez approved the application and adjourned the case to November 24, 2026, to allow the comprehensive labour files to be compiled.