When a Review Can Land You in Jail: Part Two

That looks like an innocent Facebook post, right? In terms of rants, I’d say that barely registers on the scale. It’s a “mildly infuriating” at worst, a “dang, what a rip.”

If you’re a western reader, in any case, you’d safely assume that maybe a friend or two might chime in on what they think of those tomatoes, maybe a few pro (whom you judge) a few con, and a few who call you crazy for not eating purely organic or something.

You probably wouldn’t expect to land yourself in prison. But that’s where this escalated for Chioma Okoli or Nigeria. Like Thailand’s harsh cyber crimes act has bitten many, Okoli fell foul of Section 24 (1) (B) of Nigeria’s Cyber Crime Prohibition Act.

After Okoli’s post went viral, generating 3000 comments, she told off the alleged sister of the founder of Erisco Foods Limited, saying her brother should “stop ki**ing people with his product.”

She was arrested days later and kept standing in what is described as a leaky cell. Erisco is also suing due to the bad publicity, and Okoli faces up to seven years in prison, a fine of 7 million naira ($5,000), or both.

If you can’t say anything nice? Um, at least be sure you’re allowed to say something nasty.