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From Godwin Tsa Abuja
The Abuja division of the Federal High Court has remanded Mrs Chioma Egodi to Suleja Correctional Centre until Friday in connection with her online commentary on Erisco Foods Limited’s tomato paste, which the police allege violates the Cybercrime Act of 2015.
She was arraigned on Tuesday before Justice Peter Lifu by the Inspector General of Police on a two-count charge bordering on cybercrime. Although she pleaded not guilty to all the counts, Justice Lifu ordered her remand until 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, Inibehe Effong. Sidi had objected to the bail application on the ground that, given the history and antecedent of the defendant, there is a likelihood that she would jump bail. The prosecution informed the court specifically that the defendant, 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 his client had suffered a 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 Centre until Friday when the ruling would be delivered. The judge also fixed June 13 for the continuation of the 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 17 September 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.
