- By Halimah Olamide
Many Nigerians have today rejected a promotional offer by an indigenous tomato company, Erisco Foods over the continued intimidation of a consumer who gave a review of its product after discovering it to be bad after purchase.
Mrs. Chioma Okoli, a Lagos-based housewife is currently under trial after the company founder, Chief Eric Umeofia, got her arrested over her review of the company’s tomato last year.
The woman had posted her impression of the tomato she bought on September 17, 2023 on her Facebook page.
The post however attracted the attention of the company which accused Chioma of a calculated attempt to tarnish the image of the company and its products.
Chief Umeofia has vowed that it is either Chioma goes to jail or his company goes down.
Many Nigerians had earlier condemned what they see as unnecessary intimidation with the use of security agencies to harass the reviewer.
Nigerians’ anger got heightened today after the company posted online, a promotional offer asking consumers to buy its products for the purpose of Ramadan.
Muslims across the world commenced their 30 days of fasting on Monday. During the period, they are expected to eat midnight and expected to break their fast in the evening.
Ramadan period is one many marketers use for special promotions as part of strategies for making huge sales.
However, Erisco Foods met with a hostile audience after it posted a promotional item online with many saying the company’s case against Chioma is enough reason to reject the product.
“Erisco Foods Limited is offering a Ramadan special promo. Buy and get an extra carton FREE! This offer is valid for purchases from our Lagos office and warehouses across the country. DON’T MISS OUT, BUY NOW!” the company stated in its post
Bro. PRIVILEDGE Esq with the X handle @OHPRIVO responded by saying,
“Lol @ginonaija is the tomato king. Erisco ko ramadan promo ni Una go dash tire.”
Another responder who faulted the approach of the company said “When MTN was paying N10m/month to its Nigerian PR agency, it’s not because MTN has money that it doesn’t know what to do with.
“It’s because hiring – and listening to – experts is worth every penny. That’s why MTN will never end up in an Amnesty International media release.
“Shebi “is it not just PR? What is there?” Don’t worry, oga money-miss-road, you’re about to find out. And before you eventually fire that quack called Cornel Osigwe and park that planet-sized ego inside your pocket so you can listen to common sense, he will help you spend your money very well.
“The game is the game. – @DavidHundeyin”
An X user, Duke of Africa wrote “Gino is the best, make una shine una eyes oo, make una no go buy Awoof tomatoes wey go land you for jail, because you gave your honest review.”
“Your boss has been in the business of intimidating and harassing people for a long time. The earlier he stops and apologizes, the better for this brand,” Festus Okunlola responded
Another responder, Arewa Chic with the handle @Hashafcee1 said “Hian! This kind giveaway dey purge ooo. Chioma still dey hand because of review. No go buy wetin dem go use arrest your entire generation ooo. This particular awoof dey run belle.”
“You people want to poison people with your tasteless and despicable products Abi, stop trying to force your trash on people please, we don’t want, is it by force?,” said another responder, Ponti with the X handle “@chalipointain
Different organisations and individuals had earlier called on the company boss to drop the alleged intimidation of Mrs. Chioma Okoli.
In one of the media interviews granted by Umeofia, he had vowed not to blink in his pursuit of the case against the house wife.
When his attention was called to the fact that Chioma was pregnant, he has responded. By saying that there are nursing mothers inside jail saying nothing would make him drop the case.
Amnesty International had in September last year demanded the immediate release of Mrs. Okoli saying the arrest infringed on her human rights.
In a series of posts on its X handle, Amnesty International Nigeria had asked Nigerian authorities to “immediately and unconditionally” release Ms Okoli.
“No one should be arrested simply for exercising their freedom of expression,” the group said.
“The arrest of Chioma Egodi shows that, despite the authorities paying lip-service to police reforms, impunity for unlawful arrests remains rampant.”
In January again this year, some policemen claiming to be acting on instructions from the office of the Inspector General of Police invaded Chioma’s Lagos residence for a re-arrest.
The policemen had allegedly laied siege on her residence for almost 10 hours, in a move that atttacted widespread condemnations.
A human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, who has been standing for Chioma in the case, has instituted a fund raising for her as Chioma cannot afford the expenses being incurred over the trial.