The 95 sacked workers of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN), Ibadan, yesterday staged a peaceful protest, calling for the removal of the Chairman of the board, Chief Francis Fadahunsi.

The workers who stormed the Correspondents' Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) of Oyo State on Wednesday described their sack as a case of victimization. Led by the state Coordinator of the Campaign for Democratic and Workers' Rights (CDWR), Comrade Bamigboye Abiodun and the Chairman for the Committee of Sacked Workers, Comrade Ajibola Yinka, the protesting workers claimed that they were sacked for not being confirmed.

Some of the placards carried by the workers read: "We demand for the removal of Chief Fadahunsi as the CRIN board chairman", "No to victimization of our union leaders", "Police, SSS, Civil Defence officers stationed in CRIN must be withdrawn now", "No to victimization of CRIN," "No to Police occupation of CRIN", "Sack of 95 CRIN workers is a clear case of victimization", and "We demand for promotion of staff as at when due" among others.

According to them, between January 24 and January 27, workers of CRIN were issued sacked letters for the offence that they had not been confirmed as full staff of the institute since the day of their appointment. "The offence upon which this mass sack based is so ridiculous and laughable especially, since the responsibility of the management of the institute to ensure that the confirmation of all officers on probation must not exceed two years unless an extension is approved by the Federal Civil Service Commission," they said.

But when contacted on the telephone, the Director of the institute, Prof. Malachy Akorada, said that he was out of town. "Please I am not in town now, and I cannot react on the telephone but by Friday, I will make available all records to verify all your facts" he said.

They recalled that during the industrial dispute, workers were beaten, harassed and intimidated by hired thugs, while union leaders were issued queries and at different times invited and interrogated by security operatives.

They therefore called on trade unions (NLC and TUC), civil society organizations and the general public to join the CDWR in the ongoing campaign for the immediate and unconditional reinstatement of all sacked workers as well as payment of all outstanding salaries of workers in the institute.