In a developing legal case, the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday granted Chioma Okoli a N5 million bail with two sureties of the same amount.
Okoli was facing charges related to her online comments about the tomato paste product of Erisco Foods Limited.
The charges, brought by the Inspector-General of Police, allege that Okoli’s remarks about the Erisco Foods product contravened Nigeria’s Cybercrime Act of 2015. Okoli pleaded not guilty to the two counts of cybercrime.
The case highlights the ongoing tensions between consumer advocates and food manufacturers in Nigeria. Okoli, described as an activist, had reportedly made critical statements about the Erisco tomato paste on social media platforms.
Erisco Foods, a major domestic producer, has alleged the online comments were defamatory. However, Okoli’s legal team has argued that she was well within her rights to share her perspective as a concerned citizen.
This high-profile case is sure to draw continued scrutiny as it proceeds through the judicial system. The granting of bail suggests the court sees merit in Okoli’s defense, though the ultimate outcome remains to be determined.
