Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja has granted Chioma Okoli bail of ₦5 million with two sureties in like sum, following allegations concerning her online comments about Erisco Foods Limited’s tomato paste.

In his ruling, Justice Lifu stipulated that one of the sureties must be Okoli’s spouse or a blood relative with a verifiable income and residence within the court's jurisdiction. The judge also required the sureties to submit passport photographs and directed Okoli to deposit her international passport if she has one.

Agreeing with Okoli’s lawyer, Justice Lifu noted that the offence was bailable and that, under Section 36 (5) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, Okoli is presumed innocent until proven guilty. He emphasized that denying her bail would constitute a misuse of judicial discretion and amount to a pre-trial judgment.

Justice Lifu also considered Okoli’s health status in his decision and adjourned the case to June 13 for further hearing.

Okoli faces charges under the Cybercrime Act, 2015, related to her online review of Erisco Foods Limited’s Nagiko tomato paste, which she described as tasting sugary. She was arraigned on a two-count charge and pleaded not guilty. The police arrested Okoli in Lagos and transported her to Abuja for interrogation following a complaint from Erisco Foods Limited, which called her claims “untrue and unfounded.”