Ericso Paste controversy: Court shifts Okoli’s trial

A Federal High Court (FHC) in Abuja on Wednesday, shifted the trial of Mrs Chioma Okoli, charged with allegations bordering on her online commentary on Erisco Foods Limited’s tomato paste, to Feb. 10, 2025.

The matter, which was scheduled for hearing, could not proceed due to the FHC New Legal Year event and the ongoing judges’ conference.

Justice Peter Lifu, the trial judge, could not sit due to the programme.

The matter was fixed for Feb. 10, 2025 for trial.

Supreme News reports that Mrs Okoli was, on May 31, admitted to N5 million bail with two sureties after spending few days in a correctional centre following her arraignment on two counts on May 28.

Okoli is being charged over her online commentary on Erisco Foods Limited’s tomato paste which the police alleged violated the Cybercrime Act, 2015.

She pleaded not guilty to all the counts.

The police had alleged that initial investigations revealed significant evidence suggesting Okoli’s involvement in breaking existing laws, especially concerning the appropriate use of cyberspace.

On Sept. 17, 2023, Okoli shared a Facebook post stating that she purchased Nagiko Tomato Mix from Erisco Foods, the day before and found it utterly sugary.

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 the I-G.

The controversy also prompted scrutiny of the product’s registration, prompting the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to carry out an inspection on the Erisco Foods’ Nagiko Tomato Mix’s registration in 2021.