Womanifesto, a group of women’s rights organisations, has asked for the immediate release of Chioma Okoli, a woman held since September 2023 for alleged defamation of Erisco Foods Limited.
In a statement signed by over 150 organisations, including the Women Advocates and Research Documentation Centre (WARDC), the Purple Woman Foundation, and ActionAid Nigeria, the group criticised Okoli’s ongoing arrest, which has cost her pregnancy and livelihood.
The group also criticised Erisco for putting money ahead of Nigerians’ health and well-being and urged the government to investigate the company’s goods and labels.
They demanded justice for her as well as an end to the harassment and intimidation of women who speak out against injustice.
Okoli who gave a review of the tomato paste brand, was rearrested on the orders of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, despite court orders. Okoli was arrested around 7:00 a.m. on Tuesday.
She was previously arrested and detained in September 2023 over her review of a tomato product manufactured by Erisco Foods Limited.
The police boss has also written to the Controller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, requesting that Chioma be placed on the watchlist.
