Nigerian woman faces years in prison after writing negative review of tomato puree online

While First Amendment rights are sometimes fought over in the United States, it's a sacred right that many around the world do not have the luxury of experiencing.

That was made shockingly evident in the African country of Nigeria recently after state police arrested a woman in the wake of her writing a negative online review of a can of tomato puree made by one of the country's food producers.

The Daily Mail reported that Chioma Okoli, a 39-year-old businesswoman based in Lagos, was arrested and could face up to seven years in prison simply for expressing her opinion about a common food item.

She is also facing a serious civil lawsuit from Nigerian food maker Erisco Foods in the wake of her negative online review, in which she claimed that the puree was too "sweet."

The outlet noted:

She called on her 18,000 Facebook followers to share their thoughts about Ericso's Nagiko Tomato Mix, after sharing a picture of an opened can of the product and saying it was too sweet.

The negative review took a turn when one commenter responded, "Stop spoiling my brother's product. If [you] don't like it, use another one than bring it to social media or call the customer service."

Okoli responded, "Help me advise your brother to stop ki***ing people with his product, yesterday was my first time of using and it's pure sugar."

Chioma Okoli, a Nigerian woman based in Lagos, faces up to seven years in prison for writing a negative online review of a can of tomato puree, stating it was too sweet.

The company behind the product has asked the police to arrest her and is suing her for £3 million, accusing… pic.twitter.com/nNYlZZSNPJ

— SIKAOFFICIAL🦍 (@SIKAOFFICIAL1) March 28, 2024

In September, Okoli found herself in handcuffs as Nigerian police arrested her while attending church. She was also pregnant with her fourth child at the time.

She described the horrifying situation to CNN, including horrific details about her detainment by Nigerian police.

"There were no seats, so I stood all through till the next day. My legs were inside the water [that came in from the leaking roof]," the woman said.

She continued, "Sometimes, I squatted to reduce the pressure on my legs. I was thinking about my children who were at home. I was talking to myself. I would think, I would pray, I was messed up."

Okoli was charged with two charges, including conspiring with others with "the intention of instigating people against Erisco Foods Limited," and with "instigating Erisco Foods Limited, knowing the said information to be false."

Many across social media have rallied behind the woman and are pressuring Nigerian authorities to bring an end to the situation. Only time will tell.