IGP Files Lawsuit Against Female Customer In ERISCO Saga, Chioma Okoli For ‘Criminal False Message’ Regarding Tomato Product

Chioma Egodi is being sued by Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun in Federal High Court, Abuja, for allegedly using her Facebook page to incite the public against a product of Erisco Foods Limited.

In 2023, Eric Omeofia, the CEO of Erisco Foods, claimed that a customer's negative product review—Chioma Egodi—had a detrimental effect on his business. Egodi had complained that the Nagiko Tomota Mix she had purchased contained an excessive amount of sugar.

However, the complainant stated in the IGP charge sheet that our correspondent saw on Thursday that the defendant had made a false Facebook post with the intention of inciting and causing unnecessary anxiety against the company.

The two-count accusation says, “That you Chioma Edoka Okoli also known as Chioma Egodi Jnr, Happiness Obas now at large And Don Kashking now at large 'm' of on or about sometime in the month of September 2023 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired among yourself and intentionally sent a message by means of computer and social media network such as Facebook, by using your Facebook handle by name Chioma Egodi Jnr, with the intention of instigating people against Erisco Foods Limited, knowing the said information to be false and with intent to cause annoyance, inconvenience, danger, obstruction, insult, injury, criminal intimidation, enmity, hatred, ill will, or needless anxiety to Erisco Foods Limited, the management, and members of the family, thereby committed an offense contrary and punishable under Section 27 (1) (B) Cyber Crime Prohibition Act.

“That you Chioma Edoka Okoli also known as Chioma Egodi Jnr. Happiness Obas now at large and Don Kashking now at large 'm' of on or about sometime in the month of September, 2023 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court intentionally send a message by means of computer and social media network such as Facebook, by using your Facebook handle by name Chioma Egodi Jnr, with the intention of instigating Erisco Foods Limited, knowing the said information to be false and with intent to cause annoyance, inconvenience, danger, obstruction, insult, injury, criminal intimidation, enmity, hatred, ill will or needless anxiety to Erisco Foods Limited, the management, and members of the family, and thereby committed an offense contrary and punishable under Section 24 (1) (B) Cyber Crime Prohibition Act.”

Two police officers, a sergent and a deputy superintendent, will explain to the court the scope of their team's investigation in the IGP's proof of evidence that is making the rounds online.

However, Effiong asked the court to deny jurisdiction over the case in a preliminary objection, citing the fact that the issue originated in Lagos State.

Justice Peter Lifu postponed the defendant's arraignment and/or hearing until April 18 after hearing from the parties on Thursday.