In a recent hearing, Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja granted Mrs. Chioma Okoli ₦5 million bail. Okoli faces allegations stemming from her online comments about Erisco Foods Limited’s tomato paste.
Justice Lifu stated that Okoli’s bail must be secured by two sureties, one of whom must be her spouse or a blood relative with a verifiable income, residing within the court’s jurisdiction. The sureties are required to deposit passport photographs, and Okoli must surrender her international passport, if she has one.
The judge upheld her lawyer’s argument that the charges against her are bailable offenses. He emphasized that under Section 36 (5) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, Okoli is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Denying her bail, he noted, would constitute a misuse of judicial discretion and amount to pre-trial judgment.
Justice Lifu also considered Okoli’s health status in his ruling and adjourned the case to June 13 for further hearing.
Okoli is charged under the Cybercrime Act, 2015, following her online commentary on Erisco Foods Limited’s tomato paste. She pled not guilty to the two-count charge brought by the Inspector-General of Police.
