Last Friday, SaharaReporters reported that human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, had sought the permission of the court to move the lawsuit from Abuja to Lagos.
Nigerian police have asked Chioma Okoli to show up to allow justice to take its course in the matter involving her and Erisco Foods Limited.
Last Friday, SaharaReporters reported that human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, had sought the permission of the court to move the lawsuit from Abuja to Lagos.
The suit was filed by Erisco Foods Limited against Mrs Chioma Okoli, a female customer who was previously arrested for reviewing the tomato product of the company.
SaharaReporters in January reported that policemen on the alleged orders of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, invaded the residence of Okoli in Lagos State.
SaharaReporters learnt that the team of policemen from Abuja who claimed to be acting on the orders of the Inspector General of Police moved to re-arrest Okoli without serving any court order authorising them to do so.
Also in January, Effiong disclosed that Okoli had received the sum of N1.9 million donation from Nigerians for legal fees.
However, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Force Public Relations Officer in a statement on Thursday, reaffirmed the commitment of the police to “upholding the rule of law in the Erisco Tomato matter”.
According to him, it is imperative to caution members of the public against spreading misinformation and attempting to manipulate public sentiments.
He said the recent developments in the case are deeply worrisome, particularly the use of crowdfunding as a means to influence legal proceedings, adding that such actions undermine the integrity of the justice system and threaten the principles of fairness and accountability as they are highly inimical to the existence of the rule of law.
Adejobi admonished Nigerians, most especially social media influencers, to resort to embracing the rule of law, and shun all displays of sentiments in the case.
He said the police would not be deterred by the antics of certain individuals to pervert justice in any way.
He said, "The Nigeria Police Force reaffirms its commitment to upholding the rule of law in the Erisco Tomato matter.
‘The involvement of Mrs. Chioma warrants scrutiny as she stands accused of violating some salient parts of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act, 2015 as preliminary investigations conducted have unearthed compelling evidence indicating Mrs. Chioma's alleged role in the violation of extant laws, particularly those related to the proper use of the cyber space.
"At this juncture, it is imperative to caution members of the public against spreading misinformation and attempting to manipulate public sentiment. The law operates impartially, and any attempt to subvert it will be met with the full force of legal action.
"The recent developments in the case are deeply worrisome, particularly the use of crowdfunding as a means to influence legal proceedings. Such actions undermine the integrity of the justice system and threaten the principles of fairness and accountability as they are highly inimical to the existence of the rule of law.
"This case in point underscores the necessity of enforcing existing legislation, including the Cybercrime Act, to counteract the current spate of violations of the Act and spread of misinformation and disinformation on social media. It is vital to reaffirm that the Nigeria Police is poised to enforce all laws without fear, favour, or sentiments in its commitment to ensuring justice and transparency for all citizens.”
"We therefore advise the suspect to cease the continual jumping bail and turn up in court, as a neutral arbiter, to determine the matter, and allow justice to take its course, while we admonish Nigerians, most especially social media influencers, to resort to embracing the rule of law, and shun all display of sentiments in the case, and in many others as the police will not be deterred by the antics of certain individuals to pervert justice in any way," the statement added.