"They Threatened to Arrest Me": Lady Who Left Negative Review of Noodles Cries Out, Lawyer Reacts

• A young Nigerian has cried out after she was threatened for criticising a brand of noodles she wasn’t satisfied with after buying it
• The single parent says she is scared because the manufacturer reached out to her to pull down the post or get arrested
• A public interest and human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, speaks on whether or not it's illegal to criticise a product one isn't satisfied with

Legit.ng journalist Adekunle Dada has over 5 years of experience covering metro and government policy

The anonymous person wrote:

I’m a single parent of three, and my life has been under serious threat after criticising a product (Noodles) on social media. I made a post about the brand of noodles not tasting well.

The manufacturer has threatened me to pull down the post, or they will get me arrested. I’m scared and confused. Is giving feedback about someone's experience with a product is an offence?

Read also

Nigerian Breweries increases prices of its products, gives reason for action

Consumers are entitled to express their opinion

Inibehe Effiong is the former convener at the Coalition of Human Rights Defenders and principal counsel/head of the Chamber of the Inibehe Effiong Chambers.

Manufacturers do not have the right to forbid consumers from criticising or making negative reviews about their products.

Section 39 of the constitution gives every Nigerian the right to review and criticise.

To criticise a product after using it is an exercise of the constitutional right to freedom of expression. Every commodity that is sold and every service that is rendered is subject to review by a consumer.

A manufacturer cannot say a consumer is not permitted to criticise, review or make negative reviews.

As a matter of fact, even professional services are subject to criticism and review, including services rendered by government and government organisations. Even as lawyers or doctors, our services are subject to review by clients and patients respectively.

Read also

"Police arrested me for speaking against a religious leader. Is it an offence?" Lawyer reacts

So, it is not for the service provider or the manufacturer to say that a consumer should not express an opinion. Every consumer is entitled to express an opinion of a product in the market.

In the Constitution, every matter cannot be reduced to black and white. What is important is that under section 39 of the constitution, every person has a right to review and criticise.”

Facebook user arrested after "bad" review

In a similar development, Legit.ng reported that the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) intervened as police arrested Chioma Egodi, a Facebook user who reviewed an Erisco Foods product.

In a Facebook post on September 17, 2023, Egodi alleged that she tasted Nagiko Tomato Mix, one of the products of Erisco Foods Limited, and found it very sugary.

Disclaimer: Advice given in this article is general in nature and is not intended to influence readers' decisions about solving issues of threats. Readers should always seek their own professional advice that takes into account their own personal circumstances before making any decision.

Read also

NPA explains why it charges in dollar as EFCC begins arresting those spoiling naira

Do you have a story to tell? Want an expert's advice? Please email us at ask.an.expert@corp.legit.ng with 'Ask an expert' in the subject line.

Source: Legit.ng