Erisco saga: Court grants Chioma Okoli N5m bail

A federal high court in Abuja has granted bail to Chioma Okoli in the sum of N5 million with two sureties.

Okoli is facing trial on a two count-charge bordering on alleged cyberstalking.

Peter Lifu, the presiding judge, ruled on the bail application filed by Inibehe Effiong, counsel to Okoli.

The judge argued that section 36(5) of the 1999 constitution (as amended) guarantees presumption of innocence, adding that it will be unfair to deny Okoli bail.

Lifu ruled that one of the sureties must be her spouse or relative and must be resident in Abuja.

The judge added that Okoli must deposit her international passport with the court.

The case was adjourned to June 13, 2024 for further hearing.

THE CASE

On September 17, 2023, Okoli published a post on Facebook concerning Nagiko Tomato Mix — one of the tomato paste variants of Erisco Foods.

She posited that she had found the paste sugary.

Erisco Foods Limited described the claim as untrue and unfounded.

The company said the post was intended to mislead its customers and discredit the image of Erisco Foods Limited “as previously instigated by some elements and syndicates who are uncomfortable with our increasing market dominance as a leading indigenous manufacturer of 100% natural tomato pastes”.

Days later, Okoli was arrested by the police after the company filed a complaint about the post.

Subsequently, Eric Umeofia, the founder of Erisco Foods Limited, vowed to take legal steps.

On Tuesday, Okoli was arraigned but she pleaded not guilty to the two counts of conspiracy and cyberstalking.

Effiong, her counsel, told the court  that his client suffered miscarriage during the course of the legal battle.

The judge had remanded Okoli in the Suleja Correctional Centre and adjourned bail hearing to Friday.