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Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to food reviewer, Chioma Okoli, who was facing cybercrime charges related to her online comments about Erisco Foods Limited’s tomato paste product.
Okoli was arraigned on Tuesday, May 28, 2024 before Hon. Justice Peter Lifu but pleaded not guilty to the two counts of conspiracy and cyberstalking levelled against her.
On Friday, the Judge ruled in favor of Okoli’s bail application, which her lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, submitted as Okoli was remanded at Suleja Correctional Center.
The Judge agreed that the offense was bailable and that Okoli, like all defendants, is presumed innocent until proven guilty pursuant to Section 36(5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
He emphasized that denying bail would misuse judicial discretion and potentially lead to judicial rascality.
Okoli’s health status was also a factor in the Judge’s decision.
The court set bail at N5 million with two sureties. One surety must be Okoli’s spouse or a close blood relative residing within the court’s jurisdiction and possessing a reliable income source. Both sureties must submit passport photographs. Okoli was also ordered to surrender her international passport, if she has one.
The case has been adjourned for further proceedings until June 13, 2024.
In 2023, the CEO of Erisco Foods Limited, Eric Omeofia, alleged that a negative product review made by Chioma Okoli adversely impacted his business after she said that the Nagiko Tomato Mix she bought had too much sugar.
