Staff At Chi Ltd Holds The Outgoing MD Roy Deepanjan Hostage Due To Alleged Mis-Managed N19.6billion Fraud

Staff At Chi Ltd Holds The Outgoing MD Roy Deepanjan Hostage Due To Alleged Mis-Managed N19.6billion Fraud

Iexclusive News Nigeria reports that at Chi Limited, a manufacturer of fast-moving consumer goods such as Chivita Fruit Juice, the outgoing Managing Director, Roy Deepanjan, has been accused of mismanaging allowances intended for employee welfare.

Members of the staff were observed blocking Roy on his way to his office in the factory and ordering him to speak to the staff at the ground-floor congress. On Thursday, July 15, the video was shot.

Deepanjan Roy

Roy was cautious at first, pointing personnel to a specific ‘Amaka,’ a Human Resource representative, but the workforce was adamant in their demands. They stayed firm, stating that they would not go until he granted their request. Roy eventually succumbed.

“We want our MD to give us our productivity bonus before he goes,” a member of staff was heard saying in the video. “The payment of our HMO has been denied us from what we are supposed to be receiving. All these money, we want them now, before you leave.”

In an announcement by Coca-Cola Africa OU President, Bruno Pietracci, to staff of Chi Limited, Roy was thanked “for his leadership and commitment from the moment he first joined Chi in 2009”.

“During his nine years as MD, Roy built a successful team, managed the transition into the Coca-Cola system while winning in the market. Under his leadership, the system grew more resilient and the culture of ownership and can-do-attitude prevailed,” read a part of the statement.

“Roy, who spent a significant period of time at Chi and more recently as part of the Coca-Cola system, is planning to venture into the world of start-ups, which is best suited to his passion and skillset.”

Despite the President of Coca-Cola Africa’s statements, sources told Iexclusive News Nigeria that the firm chose to let Roy leave due to recent discoveries concerning his participation in how around N19.6 billion meant for employee welfare was squandered.

Roy’s time at Chi will end in July, and Eelco Weber will take over. In the meantime, Sanjeev Kumar has been named to oversee the company’s operations.

Attempts to contact Chi Limited management were unsuccessful, as the company’s official lines were turned down at the time of writing this report.

Meanwhile, the employee revolt is bearing fruit, as the corporation went on Sallah Break for the first time in a long time, something that would not have happened during Roy’s reign.