- Chioma Okoli faces up to seven years in prison for her opinions
- She said a can of tomato puree was too sweet
- The company has asked the Nigerian police to arrest her and is suing her for £3 million.
A Nigerian woman faces up to seven years in prison for writing a damning review about a can of tomato puree, after its manufacturer accused her of harming its business.
Chioma Okoli, a 39-year-old businesswoman based in Lagos, the country’s largest city, faces criminal and civil court charges after making negative comments about a product made by Nigerian food manufacturer Erisco Foods .
She called on her 18,000 Facebook followers to share their thoughts on Ericso’s Nagiko Tomato Mix, after sharing a photo of an open can of the product and saying it was too sweet.
One commenter said: “Stop ruining my brother’s product. If (you) don’t like it, use something other than posting it on social media or calling customer service.
Okoli replied: “Help me advise your brother to stop killing people with his product, yesterday was the first time I used it and it is pure sugar.”
Chioma Okoli (pictured) is facing criminal and civil court proceedings after making negative comments about a product made by Nigerian food manufacturer Erisco Foods.
She called on her 18,000 Facebook followers to share their thoughts on Ericso’s Nagiko Tomato Blend (pictured).
The businesswoman, who is currently pregnant with her fourth child, was arrested by plainclothes officers of the Nigerian National Police in September while at church, and told CNN she had was forced to stand in a leaky cell for hours.
“There were no seats, so I stayed up until the next day. My legs were in the water (which came from the leaking roof)’, she said.
“Sometimes I squat to reduce the pressure on my legs. I thought of my children who were at home. I was talking to myself. I was thinking, I was praying, I was messed up,” she added.
Okoli has been criminally charged with two separate crimes, the more serious of which could earn her a prison sentence of up to seven years.
She was charged with conspiring with two other individuals to “inspire people to harm Erisco Foods Limited” and could face a prison sentence of up to seven years.
Okoli was also accused of “inciting Erisco Foods Limited, knowing that the information was false”, a crime which could land her three years in prison and a fine of seven million naira (£3,950).
The company’s CEO, Eric Umeofia, is being criticized in Nigeria for his threatening behavior towards Okoli.
He revealed his speech to the nation during an interview about the ongoing legal battle.
Erisco itself is also taking civil action against her, after claiming earlier this year that “several suppliers” had severed ties with the company following her remarks, and is seeking 5 billion naira (2.8 million of pounds sterling) for damages.
She launched two countersuits against the police and Erisco, which her legal team described as a battle of David versus Goliath, over the treatment of the businesswoman.
The company’s CEO, Eric Umeofia, is being criticized in Nigeria for his threatening behavior towards Okoli.
He revealed his speech to the nation during an interview about the ongoing legal battle, which his lawyer, Inhibehe Effiong, said was fought “without regard to the safety and security of Chioma, her husband and of his entire family.”
He also told the media that he “would rather die than allow someone to tarnish my image. I worked 40 years to grow.”
The behavior of the police and Erisco has been criticized by groups around the world.
Amnesty International said: “The harassment and intimidation of Chioma Okoli must stop now. »
