The Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out the preliminary objection raised by Mrs. Chioma Egodi Okoli, who had challenged the court’s jurisdiction to hear her trial on alleged cybercrime charges.
On Friday, Justice Peter Lifu dismissed the objection after Okoli, through her counsel Lilian Ufuasia Esq., informed the court of her decision to withdraw the motion. The defence had initially sought to transfer the case to Lagos, where Okoli resides, but withdrew the request, which was not opposed by the prosecution counsel, Sidi Anthony Esq.
The Inspector General of Police had filed a two-count charge against Okoli, a reviewer of Erisco Foods tomato paste, accusing her of criminal defamation. Two others, Happiness Obas and Don Kashking, who are reportedly at large, were also named in the case.
The defendants are alleged to have conspired to post a defamatory message on Facebook, under the handle “Chioma Egodi Jnr,” intended to incite public hostility against Erisco Foods Limited.
According to the charges, the defendants knew the information was false and acted with the intent to cause “annoyance, inconvenience, danger, obstruction, insult, injury, criminal intimidation, enmity, hatred, ill will, or needless anxiety” to Erisco Foods Limited, its management, and the family members.
These actions are said to violate Section 27(1)(b) and 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act. Okoli, however, has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
