Amnesty International, WARDC, others demand release of Chioma Okoli

A global human rights group, Amnesty International Nigeria, WARDC and other women group have risen to demand the release of Chioma Okoli who has been in detention since her analysis of tomato paste produced and distributed by Erisco Foods.

Amnesty International Nigeria, in their advocacy, declared:

@AmnestyNigeria

“Since September 2023, Chioma Egodi has been subjected to series of harassment and intimidation over a review of tomato paste on social media.”

Women in mass protest for release of Chioma Okoli

Also, WARDC @womenadvocate, leading the gathering of women for mass protest declared that they “#standwithchiomaokoli because an injustice to one is an injustice to all!”

Taking to the streets of Lagos, WARDC and other women groups were chanting: “What are we demanding? Free Chioma Okoli!!!”

The women displayed placards with inscriptions “There is free speech in Nigeria!”

“The Police should protect and oppress!!!

“Free Chioma Okoli!!!”

Nigerian women marking the 2024 International Women’s Day, also wore tops signalling “Women’s live matter” as they embarked on the mass protest.

They also stopped in front of Erisco Foods Limited office.

Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Erisco Foods Limited, Eric Umeofia, was cited to have vowed to ‘fight to finish’, arguing that he invested huge amount of money into the business and would not live to see anyone bring him down.

He was cited to have vowed: ‘he will rather die than see anyone bring down his business’.