- Okoli pleaded not guilty to conspiracy and cyberstalking charges
A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered Chioma Okoli to be remanded at Suleja Correctional Centre over a Facebook review of Erisco Foods Limited’s tomato products.
Arraigned on May 28, 2024, before Justice Peter Lifu, Okoli pleaded not guilty to conspiracy and cyberstalking charges. She will remain in custody until her bail hearing on May 31, 2024.
Human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong, representing Okoli, revealed she suffered a miscarriage during the case. The CEO of Erisco Foods, Eric Omeofia, claimed a negative review by Okoli in 2023 harmed his business. Okoli was arrested in September 2023, with her lawyer alleging rights violations by the police and Omeofia.
The 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 punishable under Section 27 (1) (B) Cyber Crime Prohibition Act.
“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 intentionally send 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 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, and thereby committed an offense contrary and punishable under Section 24 (1) (B) Cyber Crime Prohibition Act.”