In a recent development at an Abuja Federal High Court, Justice Peter Lifu granted bail to Chioma Okoli, setting the bail sum at N5 million along with two sureties in like sum.
Okoli, facing a two-count charge related to cybercrime, was instructed by the judge to provide a surety who must be her spouse or a blood relative residing within the court’s jurisdiction with a stable income source.
The judge’s ruling also mandated the sureties to each deposit a passport photograph while Okoli herself was ordered to deposit any international passport she might possess.
Okoli’s case stemmed from a Facebook post she shared on September 17, 2023, regarding her experience with a product from Erisco Foods Limited.
The post attracted attention, leading to a police investigation initiated by the company’s management and involvement of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
In his ruling, Justice Lifu agreed with the arguments presented by Okoli’s lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, emphasizing that the offence in question was bailable.
He underscored Okoli’s presumption of innocence until proven guilty and deemed denying her bail as a misapplication of discretion.
The judge further considered Okoli’s health status in granting bail and adjourned the matter until June 13 for further hearing.
During the proceedings, the prosecution counsel, Abdulrashid Sidi, objected to the bail application, expressing concerns about Okoli’s likelihood of jumping bail based on her past actions while on administrative bail.
However, Justice Lifu found merit in the defence’s arguments and granted bail to Okoli.
