Erisco Foods, makers of Nagiko Tomato Paste, has justified its decision to get a Facebook user Chioma Okoli arrested over a ‘negative’ review on the paste.
On September 17, Mrs Okoli published a product review on Facebook. She said, “I went to buy tin tomatoes yesterday that I will use to make stew. I didn’t see Gino and Sonia.
“So, I decided to buy this one. When I opened it, I decided to taste it. Omo! Sugar was just too much. Ha, biko, let me know if you have used this tin tomato before because this is an Ike gwuru situation.”
Her review got tons of reactions from Facebook users, with many calling for the boycott of the product.
But the company released a statement, accusing the woman of intending to mislead its customers.
It said Okoli’s post was “obviously intended to mislead our esteemed customers and discredit the image of Erisco Foods Limited, as previously instigated by some elements and syndicates who are uncomfortable with our increasing market dominance as a leading indigenous manufacturer of tomato pastes.”
Speaking with PUNCH, spokesperson for Erisco Foods Nnamdi Nwokolo said, “The allegations were grave, so we petitioned the police to investigate the matter. So if the police find criminal defamation against Chioma Egodi and then arrest her, is it a crime that we sought the law?”
On Tuesday, chief executive officer of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, Babatunde Irukera announced Okoli had been released from police custody.
“Further Update: Ms Chioma has been released on bail. Mutual commitments by both parties before the police,” Irukera wrote on X.
