Women coalition demands boycott of Erisco products over ‘harassment’ of Chioma Okoli

A coalition of 300 women groups has called for the boycott of products made by Erisco Foods Limited.

The coalition is made up of Purple Woman Foundation (PWF), Women Advocates and Research Documentation Centre (WARDC), 9jafeminista, Abiodun Essiet Initiative for Girls, Above Whispers Foundation, Action Aid Nigeria and other groups.

On September 17, 2023, Chioma Okoli put up a Facebook post stating that she tasted Nagiko Tomato Mix — one of the tomato paste variants of the firm — and found it sugary.

Reacting in a statement, Erisco Foods described the claim as untrue and unfounded.

Okoli was later arrested by the police following a petition by Eric Umeofia, president and CEO of the company. Both parties have been in court.

Inibehe Effiong, Okoli’s lawyer, had said his client suffered a miscarriage, adding that she had been remanded in prison.

In a statement signed by Ireti Bakare-Yusuf on behalf of the coalition, the groups called on all Nigerian women to boycott Erisco products with immediate effect for their “continued harassment of Okoli and the insufferable stress inflicted on her”.

The coalition said other reasons for the boycott include Okoli’s loss of earnings due to her inability to work, the threat to her life and being subjected to constant litigation for exercising her “freedom of speech and expression” as granted to her under section 39 of the 1999 constitution.

“We are concerned about her ability to get justice in a country with a reputation for compromised justice,” the statement reads.

“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 wellbeing 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 wellbeing of 200 million Nigerians.

“We call on the government to come to the aid of Chioma as your silence is deafening and sends out the wrong message. No market can exist without buyers.

“Therefore, no consumer should be subjected to persecution, mental and psychological abuse, or intimidation for writing a review about any product purchased in good faith with their money.”