Chioma Okoli was granted bail by Justice Peter Lifu of an Abuja Federal High Court in the sum of N5m and two sureties in like sum.
Gatekeepers News reports that one of the sureties must be the defendant’s spouse or a blood relative with a stable income residing within the court’s jurisdiction.
The judge also required the sureties to deposit a passport photograph each and instructed the defendant to deposit her international passport if any.
Okoli is facing a two-count charge related to cybercrime stemming from a Facebook post she shared on September 17, 2023, regarding Erisco Foods Limited’s tomato paste.
In the post, she made comments about purchasing Nagiko Tomato Mix from Erisco Foods, claiming it was excessively sugary compared to other brands she normally buys.
This post led to reactions, prompting the company to involve the police through a petition to the Inspector-General, as well as catching the attention of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
During the ruling, the trial judge agreed with the defendant’s lawyer that the offence was bailable and emphasized the presumption of innocence until proven guilty.
The judge also considered Okoli’s health status in granting bail and adjourned the matter until June 13 for further hearing.
The prosecution counsel had objected to the bail application, citing concerns about the defendant’s likelihood to jump bail based on her history and antecedents, as well as evidence suggesting her involvement in breaking laws related to the appropriate use of cyberspace.
