Erisco Case: Witness Tells Court Okoli Never Directly Called for Product Boycott

A prosecution witness on Wednesday told the Federal High Court in Abuja that Chioma Okoli did not expressly urge members of the public to stop buying or using Erisco Foods’ tomato paste.

The witness, Mr Nnamdi Nwokolo, a representative of Erisco Foods and the first prosecution witness in the case, made the admission during cross-examination by Okoli’s lawyer, Mr Inibehe Effiong.

When asked whether the defendant had directly asked people to boycott Erisco tomato paste, Nwokolo answered in the negative.

He, however, maintained that Okoli’s social media post created an implication that consumers should avoid the product.

Nwokolo also confirmed that Erisco Foods, in its petition to the police, alleged that Okoli belonged to an organised syndicate involved in circulating fake Erisco tomato paste. He told the court, however, that no fake Erisco product was recovered from her.

The witness further said he was unaware that the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) had fined Erisco Foods N1 million over the advertisement of fake tomato paste.

Following the testimony, the trial judge, Justice Peter Lifu, adjourned the matter until January 22 for continuation of hearing.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that at the previous sitting, Justice Lifu advised both parties to consider an out-of-court settlement, noting that the court is empowered to encourage reconciliation.

“I am empowered by Section 17 of the Federal High Court Rules to encourage, facilitate and promote reconciliation of parties, and it is when all efforts at this fail that we will settle the dispute by law,” the judge said.

Justice Lifu asked the witness why reconciliation had not been achieved.

Nwokolo replied that Okoli had refused to apologise to the company, adding: “She offered an apology but later retracted it.”

Prosecution counsel, Mr Adams Ugwuanyi, said that although settlement could still be explored, the prosecution would proceed with the hearing.

NAN reports that Okoli is facing a two-count charge bordering on cybercrime. She was sued over a Facebook post made on September 17, 2023, in which she said she bought Nagiko Tomato Mix from Erisco Foods and found it “utterly sugary.”

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