The Abuja division of the Federal High Court has remanded Mrs. Chioma Egodi to Suleja Correctional center till Friday in connection with her online commentary on Erisco Foods Limited’s tomato paste which the police alleged violates the Cybercrime Act of 2015.
She was arraigned on Tuesday before Justice P Lifu by the Inspector General of Police on a two-count charge bordering on cyber crime.
Although she pleaded not guilty to all the counts, Justice Lifu ordered her remand till Friday when a ruling on her bail application would be delivered.
Earlier, the prosecution counsel, Abdulrashid Sidi urged the court to reject the bail application that was moved by the defence counsel, Anibele Effing.
Sidi had objected the bail application on the ground that giving the history and antecedent of the defendant, there is the likelihood that she would jump bail.
The prosecution informed the court specifically that the defendant has while on an administrative bail, refused to honour its terms and would most likely jump bail.
The defence counsel, Effiong had made passionate efforts to secure the freedom of his client by drawing the court’s attention to her health condition.
Effiong who tendered a medical report to justify his position stated that her client had suffered miscarriage as a result of the psychological trauma of the case.
However, Justice Lifu who was unable to deliver a ruling on the bail application ordered that the defendant be remanded to the Suleja Correctional center till Friday when the ruling would be delivered.
The judge equally fixed June 13 for the continuation of trial.
The Police had alleged that initial investigations have revealed significant evidence suggesting Mrs. Chioma’s involvement in breaking existing laws, especially concerning the appropriate use of cyberspace.
On September 17, 2023, Egodi shared a Facebook post stating that she purchased Nagiko Tomato Mix from Erisco Foods the day before and found it overly sweet. She mentioned that she normally buys Gino or Sonia brands, but they were out of stock.
Her post generated reactions and forced the management of the company to involve the police through a petition to Kayode Egbetokun, the Inspector General of Police.
The controversy also prompted scrutiny of the product’s registration, leading the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to confirm Eriscofoods’ Nagiko Tomato Mix’s registration in 2021.
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