A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to Chioma Okoli in the sum of N5 million with two sureties.
Bail Conditions
Justice Peter Lifu ruled that one of the sureties must be her spouse or a blood relation and must reside in Abuja with a verified means of livelihood. Okoli must also deposit her passport with the court, if she has one.
Arraignment and Charges
Okoli was arraigned on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, before Hon. Justice Peter Lifu but was remanded at Suleja Correctional Center. She pleaded not guilty to the two counts of conspiracy and cyberstalking leveled against her.
Judge’s Ruling
In his ruling on the bail application filed by her lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, the judge granted her bail with two sureties in like sum. Justice Lifu emphasized that denying her bail would be a wrong application of discretion and tantamount to pre-trial judgment and judicial rascality. The ruling was predicated on Section 365 (5) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended on the presumption of innocence.
Next Court Date
The case has been adjourned to June 13, 2024, for trial.
Background
The CEO of Erisco Foods Limited, Eric Omeofia, alleged in 2023 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.
Okoli was arrested by the police in September 2023, with her lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, raising the alarm that the fundamental rights of his client were being breached by the police and Omeofia.
The Charges
The two counts read:
“That you Chioma Edoka Okoli also known as Chioma Egodi Jnr, Happiness Obas now at large and Don Kashking now at large ‘m’ of on or about sometime in the month of September 2023 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired among yourself and intentionally sent a message by means of computer and social media network such as Facebook, by using your Facebook handle by name Chioma Egodi Jnr, with the intention of instigating people against Erisco Foods Limited, knowing the said information to be false and with intent to cause annoyance, inconvenience, danger, obstruction, insult, injury, criminal intimidation, enmity, hatred, ill will, or needless anxiety to Erisco Foods Limited, the management, and members of the family, thereby committed an offense contrary and punish