Abuja, Nigeria – Chioma Okoli has been remanded in custody after being charged with defamation by Erisco Food Company Limited. This comes after Okoli posted a negative review of Erisco’s Nagiko ketchup on her Facebook page, sparking a significant legal battle under Nigeria’s Cybercrime Act.
Appearing before Justice Peter Odo Lifu at the Federal High Court in Abuja, Okoli firmly denied the allegations. However, Magistrate Lifu deferred the decision on her bail request to Friday, May 31, leaving Okoli in custody until then.
Okoli’s lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, presented a convincing case for her release on bail, revealing that Okoli had suffered a miscarriage due to the intense psychological stress of the case. Despite this, the prosecution, led by Abdulrashid Sidi, objected to granting bail out of fear that Okoli might abscond. Sidi also mentioned that Okoli allegedly violated the terms of a previous administrative bail granted by the police.
Background story
The trouble started in September 2023 when Okoli, known as Chioma Egodi Jnr on Facebook, shared her dissatisfaction with Erisco’s Nagiko tomato ketchup, claiming it tasted of sugar. She said she went to the market to buy Gino or Sonia tomato paste but had to settle for Nagiko. This seemingly innocuous position led to her being arrested by the Lagos police and later transferred to Abuja following an official complaint by Erisco Foods Limited.
Erisco Foods Limited quickly refuted Okoli’s claims, calling them “untrue and baseless”. The company affirms the quality of its products, emphasizing its commitment to producing healthy, Nigerian-made tomato products aimed at feeding Africa.
Legal proceedings
This case has attracted widespread attention as we await the court’s decision on Okoli’s bail application. It highlights the delicate balance between consumer rights and corporate reputation, especially in the age of social media. Okoli’s situation highlights the far-reaching implications of Nigeria’s Cybercrime Act, particularly in relation to online reviews and freedom of expression.
The court’s upcoming ruling will not only determine Okoli’s immediate future but could also set a precedent for how similar cases are handled in Nigeria. All eyes remain on the Federal High Court in Abuja as we wait to see how this intriguing case plays out.
