A Nigerian security guard was shocked after returning from a holiday to visit his mother in Nigeria to find he had been banned from work because his employers feared he had Ebola.
Sam Ayodele Ogunnoiki, 46, from St Austell, Cornwall came back from a three week holiday there on Saturday to find a letter from his boss saying several members of staff had raised concerns about working with him following his trip.
Mr Ogunnoiki, who has worked for Stout Security LTD for eight years, was told by director Trevor Mannell that he had to allay colleagues' fears that he was carrying the Ebola virus back with him and could not allow him to return to work until he had been back in the UK for at least three weeks.
The letter told Mr Ogunnoiki: 'You have been in my employ for several years and I have always done my very best to look after you, frequently helping you out when you called on me for assistance.
'With our friendship in mind, I have spoken to you and expressed my very deep concerns about your trip to Nigeria.
'Several members of staff have now voiced their concerns about the possibility of your carrying the Ebola virus back with you and have made it very clear that they are extremely reluctant to work with you on your return.
'One member of staff has even written a clear and concise letter stating the concerns of your work colleagues.
'In this case I have to support their concerns - especially as I have already voiced them personally to you.
'In order to allay any fears that you are a carrier for this deadly virus, I feel I cannot allow you to return to work until you have been back in the United Kingdom for three weeks - which is the incubation period.
'I must also request that you visit your doctor on your return and get a clean bill of health before you can start work with us.
'I am very sorry about this Sam but everyone works in close proximity together and I have to put the concerns of the majority first.'
Nigeria was declared disease-free on October 20 after a 42 day waiting period following a small outbreak of twenty cases of Ebola, which saw eight deaths.
The letter Stout Security LTD had written to Mr Ogunnoiki telling him to avoid his workplace for three weeks
'It's just discrimination,' said Mr Ogunnoiki.
'I have worked at Stout since moving to Cornwall in 2006 when I married my wife, who is English.
'I went to the Port Health Authority and they told me there was no problem with visiting my mother in Nigeria so I went and came back on Saturday.
'I then got the letter and a text from Mr Mannell saying he couldn't allow me to return to work in case I had Ebola.
'I was scanned for Ebola in Nigeria and everything came back fine.
'But my boss told me I must be in quarantine for 21 days and cannot come to work.
Mr Ogunnoiki received a text message from Stout Security LTD saying it was 'a problem' he travelled to Nigeria
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