A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Friday, admitted Erisco food reviewer Chioma Okoli to N5 million bail with two sureties in like sum over allegations bordering on her online commentary on Erisco Foods Limited’s tomato paste.
Justice Peter Lifu, in a ruling, agreed with the arguments of the defendant’s lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, that the offence with which Mrs Okoli was charged with was a bailable one.
Justice Lifu further held that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty pursuant to Section 36(5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
According to the judge, denying her bail is a wrong application of discretion which will amount to a pre-trial judgment and judicial rascality.
He equally based the ruling on the health status of Okoli.
Justice Lifu, in admitting her to bail, said that one of the sureties must be the defendant’s spouse or blood relative with a verified source of income and also residing within the jurisdiction of the court.
The judge, who ordered the sureties to deposit a passport photograph each, directed the defendant to also deposit her international passport if any.
Upon her arraignment before Justice Peter Lifu of a Federal High Court in Abuja, Okoli pleaded not guilty and was remanded in Suleja Correctional Centre till today, Friday May 31 2024 for ruling on her bail application.
Effiong told the court that his client suffered miscarriage in the course of the case and eventually lost her baby.
The judge adjourned the matter until June 13 for further hearing.
BRANDPOWER reports that Mrs Okoli is being charged over her online commentary on Erisco Foods Limited’s tomato paste which the police alleged violated the Cybercrime Act, 2015.
She was arraigned on Tuesday before Justice Lifu by the Inspector-General (I-G) of Police on a two-count charge bordering on cyber crime.
Although she pleaded not guilty to all the counts, the judge ordered her remand to deliver ruling on her bail application.
Earlier, the prosecution counsel, Abdulrashid Sidi, urged the court to reject the bail application that was moved by the defence counsel, Effiong.
Sidi had objected the bail application on the ground that given the history and antecedent of the defendant, there was the likelihood that she would jump bail.
The prosecution informed the court specifically that the defendant had, while on an administrative bail, refused to honour the bail terms and would most likely jump bail.
BRANDPOWER reports that the police had alleged that initial investigations revealed significant evidence suggesting Mrs Okoli’s involvement in breaking existing laws, especially concerning the appropriate use of cyberspace.
On Sept. 17, 2023, food reviewer Chioma Okoli shared a Facebook post stating that she purchased Nagiko Tomato Mix from Erisco Foods, the day before and found it utterly sugary.
She mentioned that she normally buys Gino or Sonia brands, but they were out of stock.
Her post generated reactions and forced the management of the company to involve the police through a petition to the I-G.
The controversy also prompted scrutiny of the product’s registration, prompting the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to carry out an inspection on the Erisco Foods’ Nagiko Tomato Mix’s registration in 2021.
A few days after Okoli’s post, police operatives arrested her in Lagos and flew her to Abuja for interrogation following a complaint by Erisco Foods Limited.
Erisco Foods Limited had in statement described Okoli’s claim that the Nagiko tomato paste tastes sugary as “untrue and unfounded.”
The demand is sequel to the continuous incarceration of Tomato Paste reviewer, Chioma Okoli following a complaint by the CEO of Erisco Foods, Eric Omeofia, in 2023.
Food reviewer Chioma Okoli was eventually arrested by the police in September 2023 with her lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, raising alarm that the fundamental rights of his client was being breached by the police and Omeofia.
Women Groups call for boycott of Erisco Foods
Meanwhile, Arise News reports that a coalition of over 300 women organisations has called on all Nigerian women to boycott all products of Erisco Foods.
Womanifesto in a statement by the Executive Director of Women Advocates and Research Documentation Centre (WARDC), Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi and other signatories on behalf of the over 300 women organizations also called on the government to come to the aid of Chioma as its silence is deafening and “loudly telling us that we the consumers cannot voice our opinions about goods we purchase with our hard earned money.’
Other signatories included Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, Women Aid Collective (WACOL), ActionAid Nigeria, Baobab for Women’s Human Rights, Christian Women in Nigerian Politics, Christian Association of Nigeria, Women’s Wing (WOWICAN), 100 Women Lobby Group (100WLG), Federation of Muslim Women Association in Nigeria (FOMWAN), Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), National Centre for Women Development (NCWD), National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), Women In Politics Forum (WiPF), Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NTWF) and Nasrul – Lahi-L- Faith Society (NASFAT).
The statement titled, “Womanifesto Demands Release of Chioma Okoli”, reads: “We call on all Nigerian women to join us to #BoycottErisco products with immediate effect, for the following reasons:
“The continued harassment & detention of Chioma Okoli. The insufferable stress and trauma that has been inflicted on Chioma Okoli since September 2023 to date, which has also led to the loss of her pregnancy.
“The apparent risk and threat to her life and flagrant abuse of her human rights.
“For being subjected to constant litigation for exercising her freedom of speech and expression, including freedom to hold opinions, and to receive and impart information without interference as granted to her under section 39 of the 1999 Nigerian constitution.
“We are concerned about her ability to get justice in a country with a reputation for compromised justice.
“We salute Chioma’s continued courage, bravery and tenacity in the face of intimidation and threats. We will continue to support her quest for justice.
“It is worthy to note that in other countries where the health and nutritional well-being of the citizens are paramount, relevant government agencies would be at the forefront of the investigations into all Erisco products and the corresponding labels, instead of leaving this landmark issue in the hands of those who prioritise profit to the lives and general well-being of 200 million Nigerians.
“We call on the government to come to the aid of Chioma as your silence is deafening; loudly telling us that we the consumers cannot voice our opinions about goods we purchase with our hard earned money. Is it silence or suffer?
Like it or be locked up? Purchase tomato paste, next stop prison. #ReleaseChiomanow!”
