A coalition of over 300 women organisations under the aegis of Womanifesto has called on all Nigerian women to boycott all products of Erisco Foods Limited with immediate effect.


The demand is sequel to the continuous incarceration of Tomato Paste reviewer, Chioma Okoli following a complaint by the CEO of Erisco Foods, Eric Omeofia, in 2023.

He had alleged that a negative product review by a customer, Chioma Okoli, negatively impacted his business when she claimed that the Nagiko Tomota Mix she bought had too much sugar.

Okoli was eventually arrested by the police in September 2023 with her lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, raising alarm that the fundamental rights of his client was being breached by the police and Omeofia.


Okoli is standing bordering on conspiracy and cyberstalking leveled against her.

Upon her arraignment before Justice Peter Lifu of a Federal High Court in Abuja, Okoli pleaded not guilty and was remanded in Suleja Correctional Centre till today, Friday May 31 2024 for ruling on her bail application.

While human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, along with S. M. Oyeghe appeared for her, Abdulrashid Isyaku-Sidi appeared for the Inspector-General of Police.

Effiong told the court that his client suffered miscarriage in the course of the case and eventually lost her baby.


Womanifesto in a statement by the Executive Director of Women Advocates and Research Documentation Centre (WARDC), Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi and other signatories on behalf of the over 300 women organizations also called on the government to come to the aid of Chioma as its silence is deafening and “loudly telling us that we the consumers cannot voice our opinions about goods we purchase with our hard earned money.’

Other signatories included Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, Women Aid Collective (WACOL), ActionAid Nigeria, Baobab for Women’s Human Rights, Christian Women in Nigerian Politics, Christian Association of Nigeria, Women’s Wing (WOWICAN), 100 Women Lobby Group (100WLG), Federation of Muslim Women Association in Nigeria (FOMWAN), Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), National Centre for Women Development (NCWD), National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), Women In Politics Forum (WiPF), Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NTWF) and Nasrul – Lahi-L- Faith Society (NASFAT).


The statement titled, “Womanifesto Demands Release of Chioma Okoli”, reads: “We call on all Nigerian women to join us to #BoycottErisco products with immediate effect, for the following reasons:

“The continued harassment & detention of Chioma Okoli. The insufferable stress and trauma that has been inflicted on Chioma Okoli since September 2023 to date, which has also led to the loss of her pregnancy.

“Loss of earnings and livelihood due to her inability to work and provide for her family as a direct consequence of the ongoing persecution and psychological molestation.

“The apparent risk and threat to her life and flagrant abuse of her human rights.

“For being subjected to constant litigation for exercising her freedom of speech and expression, including freedom to hold opinions, and to receive and impart information without interference as granted to her under section 39 of the 1999 Nigerian constitution.

“We are concerned about her ability to get justice in a country with a reputation for compromised justice.

“We salute Chioma’s continued courage, bravery and tenacity in the face of intimidation and threats. We will continue to support her quest for justice.

“It is worthy to note that in other countries where the health and nutritional well-being of the citizens are paramount, relevant government agencies would be at the forefront of the investigations into all Erisco products and the corresponding labels, instead of leaving this landmark issue in the hands of those who prioritise profit to the lives and general well-being of 200 million Nigerians.

“We call on the government to come to the aid of Chioma as your silence is deafening; loudly telling us that we the consumers cannot voice our opinions about goods we purchase with our hard earned money. Is it silence or suffer?
Like it or be locked up? Purchase tomato paste, next stop prison. #ReleaseChiomanow!”

https://www.arise.tv/chioma-okoli-300-women-groups-protest-directs-immediate-boycott-of-erisco-products/

The women should continue wasting their time. They have sharp mouth to ruin another man's business but do not want to serve jail term for their damage

They should crowd fund her bail. No need for noise na 5milli pere

impunity must stop

bhella10:
They should crowd fund her bail. No need for noise na 5milli pere

Her defense is already being crowdfunded. Erisco has already lost a lot in lost sales and the longer this goes on, the more substantial the damage will become.
The next stage is the most worrisome because once the market women get involved,it's all over for the company.
Chioma was wrong initially but the bullying from erisco is too much and has to be stopped

Front0lane:
The women should continue wasting their time. They have sharp mouth to ruin another man's business but do not want to serve jail term for their damage

nah women dey use tomotoes ooh

No be only boycott.
Erisco should also slash the price of his product as a counter measure.

A basket of tomato now goes for 150k
Na tin tomatoes people dey use now.

Supported.
The CEO of Erisco resemble Tif.nubu. Both drivers of substandard products.

Babalegba:
Her defense is already being crowdfunded. Erisco has already lost a lot in lost sales and the longer this goes on, the more substantial the damage will become.
The next stage is the most worrisome because once the market women get involved,it's all over for the company.
Chioma was wrong initially but the bullying from erisco is too much and has to be stopped

more reason Erisco will go forward with their charges against her. They said her allegations are impacting their business and the evidence proves it to be true. She's going in for a long time. Erisco will survive this one too

Babalegba:
Her defense is already being crowdfunded. Erisco has already lost a lot in lost sales and the longer this goes on, the more substantial the damage will become.
The next stage is the most worrisome because once the market women get involved,it's all over for the company.
Chioma was wrong initially but the bullying from erisco is too much and has to be stopped

which part of it was bullying?

Someone who claimed the product kills and when she was asked to retract her statement, she challenged the company to take her to court.

Now she's in court, let her provide whom the product has killed

michlins:
which part of it was bullying?

Someone who claimed the product kills and when she was asked to retract her statement, she challenged the company to take her to court.

Now she's in court, let her provide whom the product has killed

It becomes bullying when the erisco boss utilized the IGP to whisk her to Abuja for interrogation.
Nigerians are getting tired of being bullied by the rich. Many people would not have been concerned if she was sued to court after all she did the initial wrong but eriscos heavy handedness and bullying tactics made people turn against him and support Chioma.
The longer this goes on, the worse it becomes for erisco. It would take enormous amount of money for the damage already done to be reversed. Common sense appears not to be common.

Chioma -300
Erisco -00

Are the rich not Nigerians as well?

Babalegba:
It becomes bullying when the erisco boss utilized the IGP to whisk her to Abuja for interrogation.
Nigerians are getting tired of being bullied by the rich. Many people would not have been concerned if she was sued to court after all she did the initial wrong but eriscos heavy handedness and bullying tactics made people turn against him and support Chioma.
The longer this goes on, the worse it becomes for erisco. It would take enormous amount of money for the damage already done to be reversed. Common sense appears not to be common.

Babalegba:
Her defense is already being crowdfunded. Erisco has already lost a lot in lost sales and the longer this goes on, the more substantial the damage will become.
The next stage is the most worrisome because once the market women get involved,it's all over for the company.
Chioma was wrong initially but the bullying from erisco is too much and has to be stopped

It's a lie that erisco has lost sales. In fact, the more you peddle this kind of falsehood, you will be making things more difficult for her.
Erisco may still take civil action against her once she's convicted.

Erisco Foods Limited will not be blackmailed so if you won't help ensue for peace then you are not helping the woman in prison.

FreeStuffsNG:

It's a lie that erisco has lost sales. In fact, the more you peddle this kind of falsehood, you will be making things more difficult for her.
Erisco may still take civil action against her once she's convicted.

Erisco Foods Limited will not be blackmailed so if you won't help ensue for peace then you are not helping the woman in prison.

I'm a realist and I do not look at things through wonky glasses.
Nobody in my family or circle of friends buy erisco products.and I have absolutely no intention of buying them because I believe bullying should be discouraged in our society.
The only reason this case is having traction is because Erisco is throwing his weight and influence around but he will lose more than Chioma in the long run.
His competitors will be hoping this drags on.
I do like one thing about the erisco guy,he stands on his word and is prepared to pursue the matter even to the detriment of his business.
I'm sure principled nigerians who want a better more civilized oppression free Nigeria will pay any fine on the case . The bible says that wisdom is the principal thing.
It is sometimes better to walk away from a fight. It doesn't mean you are a coward.Just intelligent.

Will still buy Erisco any time any day. What's my business with your boycott sh1t ?