A NIGERIAN woman, Chioma Okoli, finds herself embroiled in a legal quagmire following her expression of dissatisfaction with a can of tomato puree manufactured by Erisco Foods, a prominent Nigerian food company. Okoli’s critique, posted on Facebook, has triggered a series of events leading to criminal charges and a civil lawsuit, raising significant questions about freedom of expression and corporate accountability in Nigeria.
Chioma Okoli, a 39-year-old businesswoman residing in Lagos, Nigeria’s bustling metropolis, took to social media to share her disappointment with Erisco Foods’ Nagiko Tomato Mix. In her post, she lamented the product’s excessive sweetness and invited her followers to share their thoughts.
However, what ensued was unexpected backlash from supporters of Erisco Foods, with one commenter urging her to refrain from publicly disparaging the company’s product. One commenter said: ‘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.’
Okoli responded: ‘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.’
Okoli remarked further in response to the backlash: ‘I stand by my opinion. ‘Consumers have the right to voice their experiences with products, especially when it concerns their health and safety.’
The situation escalated dramatically when Chioma Okoli was apprehended by plainclothes officers from Nigeria’s national police while attending church in September. Recounting her ordeal, Okoli described being held in a damp, leaky cell for hours without adequate seating.
‘There were no seats, so I stood all through till the next day. My legs were inside the water [that came in from the leaking roof],’ Okoli told CNN. ‘I was thinking about my children who were at home. I was talking to myself. I would think, I would pray, I was messed up.’
Okoli’s legal troubles deepened as she faced criminal charges, including allegations of conspiring to instigate unrest against Erisco Foods. The severity of the charges could result in a maximum prison sentence of seven years, prompting outrage from human rights groups and advocates for freedom of expression.
‘This case highlights the vulnerability of individuals expressing their opinions in Nigeria,’ remarked a spokesperson for Amnesty International. ‘It’s a chilling reminder of the need to safeguard freedom of expression in the country.’
In addition to the criminal charges, Erisco Foods filed a civil lawsuit against Okoli, seeking substantial damages for purported business losses resulting from her social media post. The company’s CEO, Eric Umeofia, stoked further controversy by publicly disclosing Okoli’s address during a media interview, raising concerns for her safety.
Okoli, undeterred by the legal onslaught, has initiated counteractions against both the police and Erisco Foods. Her legal team characterises the battle as a ‘David versus Goliath’ struggle, emphasising the importance of defending fundamental rights in the face of corporate intimidation.
As the case unfolds, it casts a glaring spotlight on the delicate balance between freedom of expression and corporate accountability in Nigeria’s legal landscape, prompting calls for systemic reforms to safeguard individual rights in the digital age.