At about 13:00 GMT today, the Nigerian Police Force, through their X handle, responded to the accusation of Nigerians over their alleged oppression and dehumanising of Chioma Egodi, who gave a negative review of a tomato paste she bought for use. Erisco foods through the C.E.O., Eric Umeofia, subsequently petitioned her to the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), who swung into action to arrest her. She was eventually released last year, as confirmed by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), pending when she is summoned to appear before the courts.

However, she had been re-arrested and Nigerians have since expressed their displeasure at the oppression of the consumer, allegedly spurred by the CEO, who has, on news media, sworn to help those who want to die, to die. The Nigerian Police, through the Force PRO, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, thus claimed the following against her and those who have shown support for her:

1. That she played a role in violating extant laws on proper use of the cyberspace.

2. That the crowdfunding done on her behalf is to influence legal proceedings.

3. That the Nigerian Police is set to enforce all laws without fear, favour, or sentiments.

4. That Chima Egodi should cease the continual jumping of bail.

5. That social media influencers should shun all display of sentiments in the case.

The Lead Counsel to Chioma, had since responded to the claims against his client, describing the police report as prejudicial. Without mincing words, he addressed each claim thoroughly, demonstarting how and why they are utterly baseless.

1. That she played a role in violating extant laws on proper use of the cyberspace.
We consider this statement prejudicial to a fair trial. Since the police has filed a charge in court, they should allow the court to determine the case instead of engaging in media trial. It is curious that the Force PRO has chosen to keep the so-called “compelling evidence” only in his head. He should extract it from his head and present it before the court. We cannot comment on fiction.

2. That the crowdfunding done on her behalf is to influence legal proceedings.
"We are unable to make sense of this particular statement as it is neither coherent nor reasonable. It is preposterous for the Force PRO to insinuate that crowdfunding can influence legal proceedings. He failed to state exactly how this is possible or how it affects Chioma’s case. If the Force PRO is interested in getting a share of the funds contributed by concerned Nigerians to support Chioma, he should come out plainly and say so instead of indulging in embarrassing prevarication."

3. That the Nigerian Police is set to enforce all laws without fear, favour, or sentiments.
"This is laughable because every action taken so far in this matter shows blatant disregard for the rule of law. For example, it is on record that policemen who claimed to be acting under the orders of the Inspector General of Police illegally invaded the home of our client on 9th January, 2024 and laid siege to her home for over 10 hours in their attempt to rearrest her, in violation of the subsisting restraining order of the Federal High Court that our client must not be rearrested except on the express order of a court of competent jurisdiction."

4. That Chima Egodi should cease the continual jumping of bail.
"We are equally taken aback by the barefaced falsehood propagated by the Force PRO to the effect that Chioma had jumped bail. This is offensive and we may be forced to sue ACP Adejobi for that defamatory statement. Chioma is not on the run and has never jumped bail. The fact of the matter is that since the Police filed their charge against her, they refused or failed to serve her with a copy of the charge. Chioma has also not been served with a trial notice or summons from the court. Before rushing to the media to scandalize our client, the Force PRO should have sought legal advice on the extant legal procedures.
Under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, a defendant who is not in custody must be served with a copy of the charge along proof of evidence and notice of trial. These are preconditions to the appearance of the defendant in court.
The last two times that the charge came up in court, the police prosecutor admitted that they were yet to serve Chioma with a copy of the charge and pleaded for more time. We waited for them to do so but they didn’t. We proceeded on our own to apply for and obtain the certified true copy of the charge to save the time of the Court. We did this to demonstrate that Chioma is ready and very willing to stand trial and has nothing to fear."

5. That social media influencers should shun all display of sentiments in the case.
"It is sad that rather than commend us for going on our own to obtain the charge instead of waiting till whenever the police decides to serve Chioma, the Force PRO has decided to peddle a false and malicious narrative for reasons best known to him.
We urge ACP Adejobi to desist from propaganda and imbibe responsible policing attributes."

INIBEHE EFFIONG, ESQ.
(Lead Counsel to Chioma Okoli).
7th March, 2024.

https:///InibeheEffiong/status/1765723295880552535?s=20

nlfpmod, Fergie001

Hmmm!

Still on this matter?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUAH3WcqOAw?si=b_nChqrkwApsTisu

Nigerian Woman Faces 7 Years in Prison over Facebook Review

A woman in Nigeria faces up to 7 years in prison over a negative review on Facebook. Chioma Okoli is a 39-year-old entrepreneur based in Lagos. Last September, she put up a post on Facebook where she slammed a local tomato puree. She said the tomato mix was too sweet.
This set off a storm on Facebook, and led to the Nigerian police arresting her a week later. She has been charged under Nigeria's cybercrime law. She is being accused of hatching a conspiracy to instigate people against the Tomato Puree maker. She faces 7 years in jail, and a fine
of up to 3 million dollars over the bad review