Some Nigerian tweeps have threatened to boycott all Erisco Foods products for allegedly bullying and intimidating Mrs Chioma Okoli, a female customer who was arrested for giving the tomato product of the company a negative review.
Nigerian police last week asked Chioma Okoli to show up to allow justice to take its course in the matter involving her and Erisco Foods Limited.
SaharaReporters in January reported that policemen on the alleged orders of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, invaded the residence of Okoli in Lagos State.
SaharaReporters learnt that the team of policemen from Abuja who claimed to be acting on the orders of the Inspector General of Police moved to re-arrest Okoli without serving any court order authorising them to do so.
Also in January, Effiong disclosed that Okoli had received the sum of N1.9 million donation from Nigerians for legal fees.
ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Force Public Relations Officer in a statement on Thursday, reaffirmed the commitment of the police to “upholding the rule of law in the Erisco Tomato matter”.
According to him, it is imperative to caution members of the public against spreading misinformation and attempting to manipulate public sentiments.
He said the recent developments in the case are deeply worrisome, particularly the use of crowdfunding as a means to influence legal proceedings, adding that such actions undermine the integrity of the justice system and threaten the principles of fairness and accountability as they are highly inimical to the existence of the rule of law.
Adejobi admonished Nigerians, most especially social media influencers, to resort to embracing the rule of law, and shun all displays of sentiments in the case.
However, SaharaReporters learnt last week that the police had not served Chioma Okoli yet.
Speaking with SaharaReporters, Chioma Okoli’s lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, said, “The Force PRO in his statement stated among others things thus: ‘We therefore advise the suspect to cease the continual jumping bail and turn up in court.’
“However, this document is the certified true copy of the record of proceedings of the first day that this case came up at the Federal High Court in Abuja on 7th December, 2023.
“You can see from this document that I was in court and I represented Chioma. I appeared in protest on that day because she had not been served. I had to withdraw my appearance because she was not served.
“The police were represented by their lawyer, M. L. Anthony, who admitted in the open court as you can see from the record that they were yet to serve Chioma with the charge. As you can see from the record, it was Mr. Anthony who pleaded for an adjournment to enable them to do the needful; that is to enable them to serve Chioma with the charge.”
Meanwhile, social media users in Nigeria have expressed anger at the treatment of Chioma Okoli by the police and the company.
For instance, Shehu Gazali Sadiq (@Shehusky) tweeted, “I boycotted Erisco Food since last year that the brand started oppressing Chioma for some product review. I cannot continue to patronize a monster with this face. I don’t know why you still buy the watery and sugary tomato paste. #BoycottEriscoFoods.”
Also @Morris_Monye tweeted, “If Nigerians did not tackle this Erisco issue like this, other organizations won’t learn. All organizations will now be careful before oppressing any Nigerian.
“When you use a bazooka to kill a fly in your house, you will most likely destroy your house in the process.”
Also @itspauldaniels tweeted, “Very true. Nigerians should be very far from Erisco food because it means even if what you buy is po!son you can’t speak.”
Tiaraoluwa (@TheOluwabukunmi) wrote, “This Erisco situation is so ridiculous. They’re willing to do everything and anything except that which will actually work; apologise to Chioma and withdraw their unnecessary suit. It’s giving ‘he who the gods want to destroy, they first make mad.’”
@General_Oluchi, “Now that Erisco has hired a professional image cleaner to handle this issue, let me use this opportunity to advise Osigwe and his team that, my mess is not cleanable. It stinks like a skunk and I won’t get tired. I was not paid or hired, never have been, so money is not my motivation.
“I will only step away from spearheading a boycott only if Erisco withdraws his case, apologizes and pays Chioma for damages and tell his friends at the police to back the f*** off.”
A.C. Harrison (@Harriseen_) tweeted, “@General_Oluchi e be like your bro Erisco dey into Oil and Gas too! E be like dem dey run fake fire extinguishers too o!
“@EriscoOfficial Let Chioma gooooo oooo.”
Wemimo Adewuni (@wemimospot) said, “#istandwithChiomaOkoli and I will be boycotting EVERY item that comes from Erisco Foods!
“Such bold faced tyranny will not be supported!
“I loooooove how @sisiogelagos asked this question: “WHO DIED AND MADE YOU GOD, ERIC.”
@General_Oluchi tweeted: “The same man whose wife swore he’s the best thing to happen to her is telling us that there are prison rooms for pregnant women and Chioma can stay there if she likes!
“For those who keep saying that I’m trying to render his 3k employees jobless, here’s your boss saying he’d rather close down his business than let Chioma go! He is the one already making arrangements to fire you people, so you better start looking for jobs elsewhere!
“I would rather die; I would rather close down Erisco Foods to fight for my right!”
