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Malicious Facebook Post: Erisco Foods fingers ‘powerful syndicate’

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3 years ago

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Eric Umeofia, Chioma Egodi

Malicious Facebook Post: Erisco Foods fingers ‘powerful syndicate’

The founder and Chief Executive Officer of Erisco Foods Ltd., Chief Eric Umeofia, says that a powerful syndicate keen on killing his company is behind the “false and malicious’’ social media post against the company.

Speaking to newsmen on Saturday in Lagos on the raging Facebook controversy, Umeofia said that the syndicate, whom he identified as importers of tomato paste had been pulling such pranks over the years.

“Their ultimate goal is to discourage Erisco Foods as Nigeria’s major local tomato paste maker and force Nigeria to depend on imported tomato paste,’’ Umeofia said.

He vowed, however, that he would continue to forge ahead, to make tomato paste locally and discourage importation of the product to save the Nigerian economy.

Umeofia, who is described as Africa’s top tomato paste maker, said that the purported review of ‘Nagiko Tomato Mix’ by a Facebook user, named Chioma Egodi, was apparently another attempt to smear a local brand that had put a Nigerian manufacturer on the map.

Records show that Erisco Foods has had a dominant presence in the tomato paste sector in Angola and Liberia over the years, positioning itself as the fourth largest of its type in the world.

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He lamented that the offensive Facebook post had a tendency to impact negatively on the company, describing the development as “one of the painful experiences of engaging in manufacturing in Nigeria’’.

According to Umeofia, the so called review of ‘Nagiko Tomato Mix’ by Egodi, showed her total lack of knowledge of the ingredients used in the making of tomato paste.

Describing Egodi’s post as baseless and malicious, he said that the write-up was clearly meant to drag Erisco Foods to the mud and destroy one of its flagship products.

“She showed her determination to kill our brand and products so why should I let her go scot-free?

“For the past five years, I’ve not received any credit facility in Nigeria – no loan. For the past three years, I’ve not received one dollar as foreign exchange.

“I’ve been sustaining my local production from my foreign investments in Angola and the United Arab Emirates.”

Narrating how the incident unfolded, Umeofia said that after Egodi’s product review on social media, he reached out to his staff to find out if any complaint had been filed by Egodi.

“I found out that there was none — no product, no batch number, no production number – but a claim that our product is killing people.

“We released a statement that we would not allow our efforts of over 40 years of production to be destroyed by a syndicate of importers who had been fighting our products.

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“We decided to defend our corporate identity by tagging her to the statement.

“Some people advised her to pull down the post that she’s destroying someone’s business but she refused.

“She abused those that had positive comments about our products but made thumbs up for those that criticised it. Then we knew she had a hidden agenda.

Umeofia added: “we had fought tomato paste importers for years because we believe that producing products locally was the best way to support economic growth.

“Should I now sit back and allow someone to destroy what we’ve spent over 10 years building?”

The chief executive officer said that efforts to reach Egodi proved abortive, necessitating Erisco Foods to petition the inspector-general of police to investigate the allegations.

“If my product has been killing people, I should be killed.

“I have over 3,000 workers in my factory and pay over 20,000 people indirectly. How can I allow syndicates to destroy my hard work?”

Umeofia clarified that the product under scrutiny was a tomato mix and not tomato paste and that the former always had sugar as an active ingredient, stressing that the product was certified by NAFDAC.

He displayed an apology letter, purportedly written to Erisco Foods through the Nigeria Police Force, regarding the product review Egodi had posted.

Malicious Facebook Post: Erisco Foods fingers ‘powerful syndicate’

(NAN)

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Fayose Petitions IGP, Threatens Lawsuit Over Rape, Torture Allegations

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45 minutes ago

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November 10, 2026

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Fayose Petitions IGP, Threatens Lawsuit Over Rape, Torture Allegations
Isaac Fayose
Fayose Petitions IGP, Threatens Lawsuit Over Rape, Torture Allegations

Businessman and social commentator, Isaac Fayose, has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and threatened legal action against a woman identified as Queen of Abuja over allegations that he raped and tortured her and her three-year-old son.

Fayose, younger brother of former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, is demanding that the woman withdraw the allegations, apologise publicly and remove the contentious publications from social media within three days or face legal consequences.

The development followed a series of posts by the woman, also identified as Alexandria, on the social media platform Threads on Sunday, November 8, 2026, accusing the businessman of sexually assaulting and torturing her and her young son.

In the posts, she alleged that the incidents began in May 2026 and claimed to possess evidence to support her accusations. She also threatened to release further information about the alleged incidents.

In one of the publications, she directly mentioned Fayose, insisting that he would face the consequences of his alleged actions. She further claimed that she had shared evidence with him.

However, Fayose has rejected the accusations through his legal representatives, who described the publications as defamatory and damaging to their client’s reputation.

The legal threat was contained in a pre-action notice dated November 8, 2026, and signed by Nzedebe Chinonso Paul, principal partner of the law firm representing Fayose.

The notice, which Fayose shared on his Instagram account on Monday, November 9, stated that the businessman had received calls and messages from friends and acquaintances informing him that his name was trending on social media over the allegations.

According to the lawyers, the publications had exposed their client to public ridicule and damaged his reputation as a businessman and social commentator.

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They also questioned the woman’s reference to her three-year-old son in the allegations, challenging her to explain the connection she claimed existed between the child and their client.

The legal representatives demanded the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of the allegations, alongside an unreserved public apology.

They further insisted that the retraction should extend beyond the woman’s personal social media accounts to bloggers and other platforms that had republished the accusations.

The lawyers warned that failure to comply within three days would compel them to pursue available legal remedies, including instituting a civil lawsuit and petitioning the appropriate authorities for investigation and possible prosecution.

Fayose Takes Matter to Police

In a separate move, Fayose petitioned the Inspector-General of Police over what he described as cyberbullying, criminal defamation, blackmail and victimisation involving the woman.

The petition, also dated November 8, was submitted through his legal representatives following the social media publications.

In the document, Fayose accused Alexandria of publishing allegations that he raped and tortured her and her three-year-old son.

His lawyers urged the police chief to investigate the matter and take appropriate action against the woman and anyone else allegedly connected with the publications.

Fayose also made his position public on Instagram, warning that the woman had between two and three days to respond to his demands or face court action.

The police petition marks a further escalation of the dispute, which has attracted attention on social media.

However, the allegations against Fayose have not been independently established, and the legal notice and police petition represent the position of his legal team rather than findings by a court or investigative authority.

As of Monday, November 9, 2026, there was no reported court judgment establishing the truth of the allegations or determining liability between the parties.

The matter could now proceed through formal legal channels if the parties fail to resolve their differences.

Fayose Petitions IGP, Threatens Lawsuit Over Rape, Torture Allegations

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‘Miracle’ Turns Sour as Visiting Pastor Vanishes with Congregants’ Phones During Crusade in Edo

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13 hours ago

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November 9, 2026

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‘Miracle’ Turns Sour as Visiting Pastor Vanishes with Congregants’ Phones During Crusade in Edo

By NewsTrends Correspondent

UROMI, EDO STATE – Worshippers in Uromi, Edo State, have reportedly been left devastated after a visiting pastor allegedly disappeared with their mobile phones during a prayer programme.

The incident, which reportedly occurred over the weekend, has sparked outrage and widespread reactions on social media after videos showing some of the affected worshippers crying over their losses emerged online.

According to reports, the visiting cleric instructed participants at the religious gathering to surrender their mobile phones and place them at the altar before the commencement of prayers.

The worshippers reportedly complied with the directive, apparently trusting the pastor’s instructions.

However, the situation allegedly took a dramatic turn when the cleric disappeared with the devices during the programme, leaving the congregation shocked and confused.

Videos circulating online show some of the affected worshippers, particularly women, visibly distressed and lamenting the disappearance of their belongings.

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One of the women was heard expressing her frustration and concern over how she would cope without her mobile phone.

The circumstances surrounding the incident have generated widespread criticism, with many Nigerians questioning why worshippers were persuaded to surrender their personal belongings to a visiting religious leader.

The identity of the pastor, the exact number of phones allegedly taken and his whereabouts had yet to be established as of the time of filing this report.

Meanwhile, The Sun Nigeria reported that the Edo State Police Command had not confirmed the incident as of Monday, November 9.

The development has renewed calls for caution among religious worshippers against surrendering valuable personal belongings to individuals under the guise of spiritual instructions.

Miracle’ Turns Sour as Visiting Pastor Vanishes with Congregants’ Phones During Crusade in Edo

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‘You’re Peter Obi’s Unofficial Spokesman’ – Bwala Accuses Arise TV’s Rufai Oseni

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20 hours ago

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November 9, 2026

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‘You’re Peter Obi’s Unofficial Spokesman’ – Bwala Accuses Arise TV’s Rufai Oseni

 

ABUJA, Nigeria – Presidential spokesperson Daniel Bwala has accused Arise Television presenter Rufai Oseni of acting as an unofficial spokesperson for former Anambra State Governor and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

 

Bwala made the allegation on Monday, November 9, 2026, in a post on X while reacting to Obi’s criticism of President Bola Tinubu over his administration’s handling of public resources and governance.

 

The presidential spokesman alleged that Oseni drafted a recent social media post by Obi to enable the former Anambra governor to amplify his criticism of the Federal Government during the Arise Television morning programme.

 

In the post, Bwala questioned why the broadcaster would not openly acknowledge his alleged political relationship with Obi.

 

“That tweet of @PeterObi was drafted to him by Rufai Oseni so he (Rufai) would amplify on their morning show. Check the pattern and flow as revealed to me by my sources in their camp.

 

“What is wrong with openly acknowledging that he is Obi’s unofficial spokesman? Hypocrites,” Bwala wrote.

 

What Triggered Bwala’s Outburst?

 

Bwala’s accusation followed a post by Obi titled, “Good Day, Mr President: Nigerians Deserve Accountability,” in which the NDC presidential candidate challenged Tinubu to account for funds saved from the removal of petrol subsidy, government borrowings and increased government revenue.

 

Obi also questioned the administration’s achievements in addressing poverty, out-of-school children, inadequate healthcare, poor electricity supply and insecurity.

 

Reacting to the post, Bwala suggested that Oseni was behind its composition and intended to use his television platform to give Obi’s criticism wider publicity.

 

However, the presidential spokesman did not provide evidence to substantiate his allegation that the Arise Television presenter drafted Obi’s post.

 

Political Tensions Ahead of 2027 Elections

 

The latest exchange comes amid growing political disagreements between supporters of the Tinubu administration and opposition figures ahead of the 2027 general elections.

 

Oseni has become a prominent voice in public discussions on governance, frequently interrogating politicians and challenging public officials on issues affecting Nigerians.

 

Bwala, on the other hand, has been actively defending the Tinubu administration against criticism from opposition politicians and other public commentators.

 

The allegation has again brought attention to the relationship between political communication, media independence and the responsibility of journalists to hold public officials accountable.

 

While Bwala has questioned Oseni’s perceived neutrality, his allegation that the broadcaster authored Obi’s post remains unsubstantiated based on the information contained in his public statement.

 

‘You’re Peter Obi’s Unofficial Spokesman’ – Bwala Accuses Arise TV’s Rufai Oseni

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