TheCable

Google has given us some of the best things on the internet — but it is still unable to solve all our problems. Or Innocent Chukwuma’s dilemma. And that is a major problem.

One Innocent Chukwuma has been in the news in recent times. The chairman of Innoson Motors was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on allegations of fraud. There was an internet furore over his arrest, leading to ethnically charged insinuations, and all that.

No, he is INNOCENT, not INNOSON

But there is another Innocent Chukwuma. He is the West Africa director of Ford Foundation. All his life, he has been an activist, either as a student or civil society mover.

But Google cannot really make a difference between this Innocent Chukwuma and that Innocent Chukwuma. So when internet users google “Innocent Chukwuma”, it brings up the pictures of the two.

The Innoson boss has even been described by a writer as also being a West Africa director of Ford Foundation. In fact, the picture of Innocent the activist has been generously used as that of the car maker on many websites and in many newspapers.

Yes, this is INNOSON

Funny? No. The activist is not finding it amusing, and has complained to whoever cares to listen that he is a grant maker, not a car maker. But the traditional media, and social media, would have none of that. As far as they care, Innocent Chukwuma is Innocent Chukwuma.

The irony of it all is that this is actionable in law — it could be a case of libel. It could defamation of character, assuming the car maker is convicted of fraud as the court charges read. It could also be “appropriation” — using someone’s image to for commercial gain.

The lawyers are probably itching for action. The activist could make a lot of money in this case, but he would rather not go to that length.

Editors and bloggers, beware!