Amnesty International, a global human rights organisation has renewed its call for the end of persistent harassment faced by Chioma Okoli, a customer of Erisco Foods Limited, who has been in legal troubles since 2023 due to her review of the company’s tomato product on Facebook.
Okoli has endured intimidation orchestrated by Nigerian authorities allegedly acting on behalf of Erisco Foods since September 2023 condemning these actions, Amnesty International stressed that such intimidation tactics must cease immediately.
In a statement released on X platform, Amnesty International reiterated its demand, stating,
“Amnesty International again calls on the Nigerian authorities to end the ongoing harassment of Chioma Okoli. Since September last year she had been through harrowing intimidation. It must end now. The Nigerian authorities must end the harassment of Chioma Egodi and stop using Cybercrime Act to violate her rights.”
The harassment began when Chioma Okoli was arrested and subjected to intimidation by Nigeria Police Force operatives, reportedly at the behest of Erisco Foods, following her critical Facebook post regarding one of the company’s food products.
This recent plea by Amnesty International echoes its previous call in March, where the organization urged an immediate halt to the harassment and intimidation faced by Okoli, both from the Nigeria Police Force and Erisco Foods Limited.
Additionally, reports have surfaced of Nigerians threatening to boycott all Erisco Foods products in solidarity with Okoli, condemning what they describe as bullying and intimidation tactics employed against her for voicing a negative review of the company’s tomato product.
