BREAKING: We urge President Tinubu to urgently direct the Inspector General of Police to immediately end the intimidation and harassment of Chioma Egodi over a review of tomato paste on social media. Freedom of expression is a fundamental right.

https://twitter.com/SERAPNigeria/status/1767848530293465476?t=hZKVwDrZPe6SbeX925DjgA&s=19


SUMMARY OF THE CASE
(For those who haven't been following, read the summary of the Erisco vs Chioma case below)

● Eric, founder of Erisco Foods, acknowledges the presence of sugar in the tomato mix Chioma reviewed, suggesting, "You can add water and use it to eat bread." He draws a comparison between the tin tomato mix and "butter" and "jam." Given that jam often contains high levels of sugar, it's understandable why Chioma voiced her concern.

● This comparison has prompted some analysts to raise questions regarding false advertising and lack of information. Notably, the amount of sugar added is unspecified, and there's no nutritional breakdown available. Additionally, the use of a personified image of a tomato chef preparing a meal with the tomato mix jam raises further concerns. Moreover, critics argue that the '100% natural' label on Erisco canned tomatoes, tomato mix, and tomato pastes is vague and misleading.

● Chioma faces accusations of violating the Cyber Crimes Act 2015 for stating that the product is killing people. However, some analysts have disputed this claim, suggesting it's an assumption rather than a fact. They point out that Chioma used "ki***ing," an 8-character word, while "killing" is only 7 characters long. Therefore, according to these analysts, it's inappropriate to impose an assumption on a vague word, especially in a case involving a criminal offense that requires evidence 'beyond reasonable doubt'.

● Nevertheless, others argue that even if "killing" was intended, it still doesn't justify the intimidation. They contend that the word strongly emphasizes concerns about the potential negative health effects of consuming such a sweet product. Additionally, section 24 of the Cybercrime Act 2015, which Eric and the police are relying on, is controversial, as it has been declared null and void by the ECOWAS court. Ribadu has also pledged that the law will be reviewed. However, while Eric and the police are entitled to test it in Nigerian courts, they should refrain from intimidating and bullying the pregnant mother and allow the court to perform its duty.

● The Federal Competition & Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has declared Chioma didn't violate any known extant law.

● Some Nigerians have pledged to boycott all Erisco Foods products until founder Eric and the police cease their bullying and intimidation of Chioma Okoli.

● In response, Eric hired a PR agent, Cornel Osigwe, to counter the backlash. However, the reaction Cornel received was not what he had anticipated.

● Consequently, some 'oyinbo' individuals with Igbo names were 'invited' to post positive reviews on Erisco Foods' official website. This action sparked nationwide condemnation, with almost everyone from both sides denouncing the reviews as fake. Some even ridiculed Eric for disregarding genuine negative reviews from real people in favor of computer-generated fakes. Eventually, the 'oyinbo' pictures were taken down after the public outcry.

● Acting on alleged orders from Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, policemen raided Okoli's residence in Lagos State.

● Amnesty International has condemned the harassment and intimidation of Erisco female customer Chioma Okoli.

● Some women staged a solidarity walk for Chioma Okoli at Erisco Foods' office in Lagos.

● Meanwhile, a few days after Cornel Osigwe revealed that Erisco Foods founder, Eric, had hired PR agents, posts supporting Eric's actions against Chioma began to emerge. Currently, it's unclear which posts are sponsored, such as the funny 'oyinbo' reviewers with Igbo names, and which are genuine.


Video of Erisco Foods founder admitting the product Chioma reviewed contains sugar

https://twitter.com/General_Oluchi/status/1767650720218534319?t=8ra-w7FC-Bcgq_cGeyjehQ&s=19

Watianoengineer:
Those blaming APC for the woes of the country should direct their anger towards Peter Obi. That man is the reason why everyone is suffering currently. Nigerians were fed up with Buhari's ineptitude coupled with the naira scarcity and were ready to sack APC from leadership. Peter Obi made sure APC remained by splitting the votes he and Atiku should have jointly gotten from nigerians hereby making Tinubu to emerge as President. Peter Obi is the reason why many families are going to bed hungry. That Obidient movement was started to ensure APC remained in power. Governor Soludo warned but was insulted by Obidients. See where we are today

So Nigerians should suffer because some persons voted Tinubu?

If only one review from an unknown person made in an obscure corner of Facebook can destroy a business that boasts of over 100 million happy customers on their website, then the founder should go back to the drawing board. If one review can trigger posting of fake positive reviews on their website and hiring of PR firms, then there's something fundamentally wrong with that product.

Blame Tinubu the president and then blame Atikuthief for every other thing

Is it a bad thing if Atiku had supported a southerner for president.
Even the most uninformed northerner knows power should change to the south let alone a so called sophisticated politician like Atiku

Serap sharap

The case is in the court of law, if all you are analysing here is true

Then accompany Chioma with her lawyer to court, why all these noise.

I dont understand, you dont want Chioma to apologize and move on and also don't want erisco to test it in court.

Well i'm happy for the money you guys donated for the case because my brother is the one managing it, atleast one duplex fit come out from there in my city😀

Wise Calabar boy wey dey use igbo people head

These are the same fools that will see the wicked Tinubu gov't incarcerate Mazi Kanu in their cells....even after the courts have freed him, yet say nothing! Only to be shedding crocodile tears and yapping like crazed dogs when ERISCO wants to hold some stupid woman to account for her post!

Someone should tell me if the stupid woman in question is being illegally detained as we speak! All ERISCO has done is to institute a court case against her! Or are you lot saying he shouldn't sue her? If the court finds his suit frivolous, they will fine him accordingly and award damages to the woman! Let us hear word abeg!

richidinho:
Serap sharap

The case is in the court of law, if all you are analysing here is true

Then accompany Chioma with her lawyer to court, why all these noise.

I dont understand, you dont want Chioma to apologize and move on and also don't want erisco to test it in court.

Well i'm happy for the money you guys donated for the case because my brother is the one managing it, atleast one duplex fit come out from there in my city😀

Wise Calabar boy wey dey use igbo people head

It is quite unfortunate that other nigerians find themselves in the same country as you. Obviously your parents did a very bad job and your teachers didn't fare better.
You see, the issue here is the issue of bullying which you failed to notice obviously.
Rich influential Nigerians are fond of using the police to harass and intimidate Nigerians and it has to stop. Erisco boss should follow the law and not get the I.G.P to lock up a Nigerian just because he wanted to.
It's obvious you haven't got one naira to rub together so your ilk will not get a penny of the money raised.

What happens to human rights organisations that oppose government in everything? They can't speak up? Or Obi himself that parades himself as Mr Right and comments on everything doesn't know about it? Okay o.

Watianoengineer:
Those blaming APC for the woes of the country should direct their anger towards Peter Obi. That man is the reason why everyone is suffering currently. Nigerians were fed up with Buhari's ineptitude coupled with the naira scarcity and were ready to sack APC from leadership. Peter Obi made sure APC remained by splitting the votes he and Atiku should have jointly gotten from nigerians hereby making Tinubu to emerge as President. Peter Obi is the reason why many families are going to bed hungry. That Obidient movement was started to ensure APC remained in power. Governor Soludo warned but was insulted by Obidients. See where we are today

look at mumu sef, this si the biggest expression of coping I have ever EVER! laid on my eyes on. IS IT BY FORCE JARE

Watianoengineer:
Those blaming APC for the woes of the country should direct their anger towards Peter Obi. That man is the reason why everyone is suffering currently. Nigerians were fed up with Buhari's ineptitude coupled with the naira scarcity and were ready to sack APC from leadership. Peter Obi made sure APC remained by splitting the votes he and Atiku should have jointly gotten from nigerians hereby making Tinubu to emerge as President. Peter Obi is the reason why many families are going to bed hungry. That Obidient movement was started to ensure APC remained in power. Governor Soludo warned but was insulted by Obidients. See where we are today

So those of you that voted Tinubu were doing it to punish Nigerians? So you knew Tinubu was a bad choice but still went ahead to vote him?

Peter is not the cause but people like you who voted for Tinubu....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUAH3WcqOAw?si=b_nChqrkwApsTisu

Nigerian Woman Faces 7 Years in Prison over Facebook Review

A woman in Nigeria faces up to 7 years in prison over a negative review on Facebook. Chioma Okoli is a 39-year-old entrepreneur based in Lagos. Last September, she put up a post on Facebook where she slammed a local tomato puree. She said the tomato mix was too sweet.
This set off a storm on Facebook, and led to the Nigerian police arresting her a week later. She has been charged under Nigeria's cybercrime law. She is being accused of hatching a conspiracy to instigate people against the Tomato Puree maker. She faces 7 years in jail, and a fine
of up to 3 million dollars over the bad review