A Nigerian woman, Mrs. Chioma Okoli, reportedly lost her pregnancy as she continues her court case with Erisco Foods Limited, an indigenous manufacturer of food products in Nigeria.
Mrs. Okoli is being prosecuted for allegedly breaching Nigeria’s cybercrime laws following her post on Facebook in September 2023 claiming that the Nagiko tomato paste manufactured by Erisco is sugary.
As her trial continues, a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered her to be remanded at the Suleja Correctional Centre.
Chioma was arraigned on Tuesday, May 28, 2024 [today] at the Federal High Court in Abuja before Hon. Justice Peter Lifu. She pleaded not guilty to the two counts of conspiracy and cyberstalking levelled against her.
the court ordered that she be remanded in Suleja Correctional Centre till Friday 31st May, 2024 for ruling on her bail application.
Human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, along with S. M Oyeghe appeared for Chioma, while Abdulrashid Isyaku-Sidi appeared for the Inspector General of Police.
During her arrest, it was reported that Chioma, a mother-of-three, was pregnant. However, her lawyer Effiong says she has since lost the baby.
Taking to his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle @InibeheEffiong on Wednesday, Effiong discloses:
I can confirm that Chioma Okoli suffered a miscarriage and lost her pregnancy. I made this disclosure to the Honourable Court during yesterday’s proceedings and it was reported by pressmen who were in the court.
Prior to yesterday, we decided to keep this information private and to only disclose it in the court. I am only stating this here due to the fact that the Court is already aware of it and many people are asking for confirmation.
The evidence of the miscarriage is before the Court, [it] is not for the media.
I can also confirm that she was arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday on a two count-charge [sic] of alleged “cyberstalking” to which she pleaded not guilty.
Chioma was remanded in Suleja Custodial Centre (Suleja prison) pending ruling on her bail application fixed for Friday, May 31, 2024.
Please those asking me questions about her case and her current condition should understand that there is a limit to what I can publicly say at this time.
History will vindicate the just.
