Chioma Okoli who reviewed Erisco tomato paste, remanded in prison | read details
Chioma Okoli, who reviewed Erisco tomato paste, has been remanded in prison.
Okoli who is standing trial on charges bordering on conspiracy and cyberstalking was arraigned on Tuesday, May 28, 2024 at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Appearing before Hon. Justice Peter Lifu, Chioma pleaded not guilty to the two counts of conspiracy and cyberstalking levelled against her.
At the hearing of the bail request on Tuesday, Okoli’s lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, presented a medical report, arguing that his client had a miscarriage because of the psychological trauma she slipped into because of the case.
But the prosecution lawyer, Abdulrashid Sidi, prayed the judge to reject Okoli’s bail application on the grounds that the defendant might jump bail.
Sidi told the judge that Okoli breached the terms of an earlier administrative bail the police granted her.
The court remanded her in Suleja Correctional Centre till Friday 31st May, 2024 for ruling on her bail application.
Recall that the CEO of Erisco Foods, Eric Omeofia, had alleged in 2023 that a negative product review by a customer, Chioma Egodi, negatively impacted his business when she claimed that a brand of tomato paste, Nagiko Tomato Mix she bought contained too much sugar.
Chioma was arrested by the police in September 2023, she was detained and made to face prosecution by Chief Eric Umeofia despite being forced to write an apology letter while in detention.
Chioma’s lawyer, Inibehe Effiong had raised alarm that the fundamental right of his client was being breached by the police and Omeofia.
