Eight ex-workers and investors of Eatrich Farms, a Nigerian agricultural firm, detained by Bisi Dazuza, the company’s Group Managing Director (GMD), have been released.
They were released on Friday evening after FIJ’s report on their arrest and detention following a two-day protest to demand unpaid N1billion arrears and investment benefits.
On Dazuza’s invitation, police officers from Area F, Lagos State Police Command Headquarters, arrested the protesters at the company’s office in Ikeja. Dazuza claimed the protesters assaulted her and stole her belongings.
Two of the detainees were locked up while attempting to secure the bail of their six colleagues arrested at Eatrich’s office.
READ ALSO: Sam Afolabi’s Eatrich Farms Owes Staff and Investors N1bn but Arrests them for Protesting
While speaking with FIJ on Friday, Adekunle Ajisebutu, Lagos Police Public Relations Officer, had promised to look into the case and ensure “both parties” are happy in their pursuit of justice.
One of the detainees, who asked not to be named, said, “We were released at about 9 pm and asked to come back on Monday to resolve the allegation of theft”.
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However, he maintained that Dazuza’s properties were not stolen, although she was confronted.
“We only seized her car and laptop bag to command her attention for dialogue,” he said.
“We released the seized properties when we found that they were her belongings and not the CEO’s.
“I still have the CEO’s car keys in my custody but that is only because we want to have a conversation on how our money will be refunded. Up to N80 million belonging to old staff is still hanging and both the CEO and the accountant have disappeared.”
Over the controversy, Dazuza, who was hired about two months ago, resigned on Saturday morning.
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