Erisco Foods Limited, a food manufacturing company based in Nigeria, has demanded the sum of N5 billion in damages from customer Chioma Blessing Edoka for alleged defamation, after utilizing operatives of the Nigerian Police Force to arrest and intimidate her over a Facebook post regarding one of the company’s food products.
Chioma was apprehended by Erisco Foods Limited, with the assistance of the Nigerian Police Force, due to her Facebook post concerning one of the food products manufactured by the company. This incident was previously reported by SaharaReporters.
Additionally, SaharaReporters highlighted that the Nigeria Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) summoned Erisco Foods Limited in response to Chioma’s arrest, resulting in her subsequent release by the police.
However, Erisco Foods Limited has now taken further legal action against Chioma. Represented by their legal counsel, Shina Agbesusi and Co., the company has demanded N5 billion as damages.
Erisco Foods contends that the publication in question was made in bad faith, asserting that the product is not safe for human consumption due to its alleged high sugar content, which could potentially lead to cancer.
The food manufacturing company argues that Chioma’s post was intended to defame the company, portraying it as fraudulent and criminal. Furthermore, the post implies that Erisco Foods is an enemy of Nigeria and its economy, suggesting that it is an untrustworthy entity.
Erisco Foods Limited further asserts that Chioma’s post encourages customers and consumers to abandon its product.
“We have been instructed that since the said post/publication, our client has received several calls and visits from its distributors, customers, suppliers, bankers, and well-wishers within and outside Nigeria, with most expressing surprise and disappointment at your Facebook post/publication,” stated Erisco’s legal representative.
The company’s legal representative concludes by notifying Chioma that unless a rejoinder and an apology are published on her Facebook page and three other national newspapers, accompanied by a bank draft amounting to N5,000,000,000.00 (Five Billion Naira) as damages to their client’s person and reputation, legal proceedings may be initiated.
