CNN, Amnesty Put Focus On Erisco Vs Chioma Saga

Chioma Okoli, who has been embattled by the CEO of Erisco foods, Chief Eric Umeofia, after she made a negative review about his product in September, 2023, has reportedly been attracting support from the international community.

Founder of Erisco, Chief Eric Umeofia is demanding N5 billion over Chioma’s review which he claimed had cost his company severe financial loss. In the alternative, he wants her to spend a long time in jail as retribution for the comment she made against his product. The police have vowed to prosecute Chioma for cybercrime, while Umeofia is separately pressing a N5 billion in damages.

Chioma’s initial comment on Facebook read: “I went to buy tin tomatoes yesterday that I will use to make stew. I didn’t see Gino and Sonia. So, I decided to buy this one. When I opened it, I decided to taste it. Omo! Sugar was just too much. Ha, biko, let me know if you have used this tin tomato before because this is an Ike gwuru situation.”

Her post, accompanied by a photo of an opened can of Nagiko Tomato Mix, sparked varied reactions from commenters, one of whom replied: “Stop spoiling my brother’s product. If (you) don’t like it, use another one than bring it to social media or call the customer service.”

Her response to the reaction was what put her in trouble. She said: “Help me advise your brother to stop ki***ing people with his product, yesterday was my first time of using and it’s pure sugar.”

On Wednesday, The Cable News Network (CNN) beamed its light on Chioma’s case saying: 

“A Nigerian woman who wrote an online review of a can of tomato puree is facing imprisonment after its manufacturer accused her of making a “malicious allegation” that damaged its business.

“Chioma Okoli, a 39-year-old entrepreneur from Lagos, is being prosecuted and sued in civil court for allegedly breaching the country’s cybercrime laws, in a case that has gripped the West African nation and sparked protests by locals who believe she is being persecuted for exercising her right to free speech.”

Nigerian legal and public affairs analyst Kelechukwu Uzoka told CNN that there are limits to the freedom of speech defense.

“No law guarantees absolute freedom,” he said. “While we have our freedom of expression, there are limitations. You can’t defame or malign someone.”

However, he added that “cybercrime is difficult to prove in court. You have to prove actual harm when the post was made. Erisco must prove that the Facebook post (by Okoli) affected its business as at the point it was made.” He noted that in Okoli’s post, she used a word with three asterisks, which could be open to interpretation.

“Harassment and intimidation of Chioma Okoli must end now,” Amnesty International Nigeria said earlier this month, as Nigerians began crowdfunding online to support her legal fees.

Okoli’s case has sparked protests at Erisco’s Lagos facility as many on social media called for a boycott of its products. The company’s founder, Eric Umeofia, refused to budge, however, saying in a recent documentary on Arise Television channel that he won’t drop the lawsuit against Okoli and that he would “rather die than allow someone to tarnish my image I worked 40 years to grow.”

See below some coments from Users on Reddit, a social media platform and online community where users can engage in discussions, share content:

reddorickt said,

“You can also report the obvious fake reviews. A 5- star rating from 5 days ago “This is the best product there is in Nigeria. Kudos to the brains behind this product”

1. The best product in Nigeria is sugary tomato sauce?

2. Specifically compliments the executive team, the people who are launching this lawsuit.

3. “The brains behind…” is similar language to comments from the company itself, acting like there is some profound proprietary new tomato sauce technology they have.

Another one a couple down “Wow! Never knew h clean and efficient Erisco Foods Limited was untiı. visited to buy their products. Their group CEO is an.”

Pierre Dessertenne said, “Literally the worst tomato purée I think they use painted tennis balls instead of tomatoes.”

Said Issak said, “disgusting not good. dont buy, and im not talking about their tomato puree.”

Aleksandr Sofias said, “tried it and hated it, worst food ever.”

YoussoufAMA Official said, “Worst tomato paste in Nigeria don’t buy. And the CEO is a bully.”

Kitty Cat said, “Pathetic what you’re doing to an innocent person.”

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