After spending three nights in prison and even losing a pregnancy by miscarriage, Chioma Okoli, who is being prosecuted by the police for her critical
After spending three nights in prison and even losing a pregnancy by miscarriage, Chioma Okoli, who is being prosecuted by the police for her critical review of an Erisco Foods product, was, on Friday, granted N5 million bail by the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The police charged her with cybercrime offences for her review of a tomato paste produced by Erisco Foods Limited, which she shared on social media. The authorities accused her of defaming Erisco, following a complaint by the company.
The Nigeria’s Cybercrime Act, under which Okoli is being prosecuted, has been used by the police to target voices, including many journalists, seen to be critical of influential people. The law, especially its section 24, often deployed for such prosecution, although has now been amended to be more liberal, is viewed by many rights advocates as a weapon of oppression by the government and powerful individuals.
Okoli was remanded at the Suleja Correctional Centre, near Abuja, on Tuesday, after she was arraigned on two charges before the trial judge, Peter Lifu.
The prosecution lawyer, Abdulrashid Sidi, while arguing the defendant’s bail request, prayed the judge to reject Okoli’s application. He said the defendant might jump bail.
But, ruling on Okoli’s bail request on Friday, the judge said denying the defendant bail will amount to wrong application of discretion.
Lifu referenced Section 36 (5) of the Constitution, which presumes the defendant’s innocence until proven otherwise.
Aside from the N5 million bail bond, the defendant was ordered to produce two sureties who must be her spouse or a relative.
The two sureties must be persons with proven means of livelihood and resident in Abuja, the court’s jurisdiction. They are to deposit their passport photographs with the court.
Also, the judge ordered Okoli to deposit her passport with the chief registrar of the court.
The judge adjourned proceedings until 13 June for trial.
The defence lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, commended the judge for exercising his discretion judiciously in granting his client bail on very liberal terms.
The defendant’s husband, Chizoba Okoli, recounted his wife’s ordeal at the hands of the police and Erisco Foods Limited management since September 2023.
Okoli said that his wife had been through emotional trauma that caused her a miscarriage.
He said his wife’s incessant arrest and incarceration by the police brought their family immeasurable pain.
Similarly, the defence lawyer repeatedly accused the police of violating Okoli’s fundamental rights to freedom of expression and liberty.
Okoli’s plight drew wide condemnation from many Nigerians who asked the police to drop the criminal charges for a civil case.
Friday’s hearing drew dozens of women’s rights activists to the court in solidarity with Okoli.
