Nigerian Police Chief Orders Watchlist for Woman Over Facebook Review Controversy

Nigerian Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun has requested the Controller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service to place Mrs. Okoli Chioma Egodi on the watchlist. Okoli is being prosecuted by the Nigeria Police Force and Erisco Foods Limited over a Facebook review of a company’s product.

In January, policemen invaded Okoli’s residence in Lagos State on Egbetokun’s orders, attempting to arrest her.

Despite outcry from Nigerians, civil society organizations, and Amnesty International, the Inspector General of Police requested that she be placed on the watchlist and denied exit out of the country.

The letter, dated April 2, 2024, was titled “Watch Listing of Mrs. Okoli Chioma Egodi; age 37 years old.” The letter urged the NIS to arrest Okoli if seen and inform the IGP Monitoring Unit. Okoli is being investigated for a case of criminal conspiracy, de-marketing, blackmail, attempted extortion, and cyberbullying.