Tomato maker Erisco Foods Ltd. has refused to back down from its controversial decision to go after a customer over an unfavourable review of its product, vowing to sue for N5 billion if she failed to apologise publicly.
Founder and chief executive Eric Umeofia said Chioma Egodi Jnr apologised to the company in writing before she was released from a police detention instigated by the firm.
He said the customer agreed to post the apology online but has yet to do so days after her release.
“People should go and read what she posted to show you that she is determined to kill us. So why must I leave her?” he said during an interview with Arise TV on Thursday.
Asked how much his company would be suing for, Mr Umeofia said “N5 billion.”
“I have credit lines of $15 million from two customers and now it is suspended. From China. Because they say I’m not likely to pay them the credit if they give me,” he said.
“She signed the apology letter and she has a copy. If she don’t post it we’re going for N5 billion. That is small for her, for me to ask for. $30 million do you know how much it is? I will tell you, for the past five years I never got any credit in Nigeria. No loan.”
Controversial move
The case has shocked Nigerians and has raised fresh questions about customer rights and the role of law enforcement in a country where powerful firms are hardly held to account over business practices.
Egodi Jnr was arrested by police in Lagos and taken to Abuja after she went online to complain about the quality of a processed Erisco tomato mix she bought.
Egodi wrote about the tomato on Facebook on Sept. 17, saying she bought Nagiko tomato for stew when she did not find popular brands Gino and Sonia.
“When I opened, I decided to taste it. Omo, sugar is just too much!” she wrote, above an image of a Nagiko paste, before asking other users to share their experiences with the brand.
The Lagos-based company, which makes tomato paste, seasoning, rice, and milk cubes, said it recognized the rights of its consumers to make “genuine observations about our products” but would take “all necessary actions against any malicious attack on our reputation.”
It said the post was “malicious” and was not a review but part of a bigger effort to destroy its business.
“If you don’t like it (the product) buy another one. People tell her don’t destroy this product. She said it’s a lie. She’ll abuse you,” Umeofia said.
Egodi Jnr did not respond to Pluboard’s request for an interview.
Nigeria’s Federal Competition & Consumer Protection Commission said it summoned Erisco and had worked to get the customer released. Chief executive Babatunde Irukere said the company may face lawsuit over the incident.
The police did not respond to our calls seeking comments.
Many outraged Nigerians have threatened to boycott the company’s products, accusing it of intimidation.
“If you buy anything owned by ERISCO Foods and you complain, they will sue you for N5 bn.. Please avoid them so you don’t pay 5 Billion Naira,” a Twitter user Darey wrote on Thursday.
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