Erisco Foods: Chioma Okoli Gets ₦5m Bail 

JUSTICE Peter Lifu of a Federal High Court, Abuja, has granted Mrs Chioma Okoli Five Million Naira (₦5,000,000.00) bail with two sureties in like sum.

Mrs Okoli is standing trial over allegations bordering on her alleged online commentary on Erisco Foods Limited’s tomato paste.

While admitting her to bail, Justice Lifu ordered that one of the sureties must be the defendant’s spouse or blood relative with a variable source of income and also residing within the jurisdiction of the court.

The judge further ordered that the sureties must deposit a passport photograph each, and directed the defendant to also deposit her international passport if any.

Justice Lifu agreed with the arguments of her lawyer that the offence with which Mrs Okoli was charged was bailable. 

Justice Lifu further held that pursuant to Section 36 (5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The judge added that 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 the defendant. 

He adjourned the matter till 13 June for further hearing.

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 before Justice Lifu by the office of the Inspector-General of Police on a two-count charge bordering on cybercrime.

She pleaded not guilty to all the counts.

Eighteen-Eleven Media