Court Remands Chioma Okoli Over Defamatory Tomato Paste Review

Abuja, Nigeria – Chioma Okoli has been remanded in prison following her arraignment on defamation charges brought by Erisco Foods Limited. This comes after Okoli posted a negative review of Erisco’s Nagiko tomato paste on her Facebook page, which sparked 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, Judge Lifu has postponed the decision on her bail request to Friday, May 31, leaving Okoli in custody until then.

Okoli‘s lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, presented a compelling case for her 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, argued against granting bail, fearing that Okoli might abscond. Sidi also mentioned that Okoli had allegedly violated the terms of an earlier administrative bail granted by the police.

Background Story

The trouble began in September 2023 when Okoli, known as Chioma Egodi Jnr on Facebook, shared her dissatisfaction with Erisco’s Nagiko tomato paste, claiming it tasted sugary. She mentioned that she had gone to the market to buy Gino or Sonia tomato paste but had to settle for Nagiko. This seemingly innocuous post led to her arrest by Lagos police and subsequent transfer to Abuja following a formal complaint by Erisco Foods Limited.

Erisco Foods Limited swiftly refuted Okoli‘s claims, labelling them as “untrue and unfounded.” The company stood by the quality of its products, emphasizing its commitment to producing healthy, Nigerian-made tomato products aimed at feeding Africa.

Legal Proceedings

This case has captured widespread attention as we await the court’s decision on Okoli‘s bail application. It underscores the delicate balance between consumer rights and corporate reputation, particularly in the era of social media. Okoli‘s situation highlights the far-reaching implications of Nigeria’s Cybercrime Act, especially concerning online reviews and freedom of expression.

The upcoming court 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 unfolds.