Police Attempted Re-Arrest of Chioma Okoli Sparks Outcry and Legal Debate

In a concerning turn of events, the Nigerian Police, purportedly acting on orders from the Inspector General of Police (IGP), made a controversial attempt to re-arrest Chioma Okoli, the woman involved in a legal dispute with Erisco Foods Limited.

The dispute originated from a negative Facebook review posted by Chioma in September 2023, where she criticized the taste of Nagiko tomato mix, a product manufactured by Erisco Foods Limited. Subsequently, Eric Umeofia, the Chairman and Founder of Erisco Foods, instigated Chioma’s initial arrest, leading to a legal battle.

Despite a court order restraining the police from re-arresting Chioma, a police team reportedly from Abuja besieged her residence in Sangotedo, Ajah area of Lagos. The attempt lasted about 10 hours and ended following intense altercations and public outcry.

Chioma’s lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, emphasized that the police did not serve them with a court order authorizing the re-arrest. He denounced the police’s actions as a reckless act of impunity, particularly for disregarding the court order.

Effiong revealed that the police filed charges against Chioma at the Federal High Court in Abuja instead of Lagos, where the case originated. This move was viewed as an attempt to circumvent justice. The lawyer criticized the IGP for allegedly issuing a directive that seemingly overruled the court order, describing it as a violation of the law.

The ongoing legal battle involves Chioma, Erisco Foods Limited, and the police. Effiong accused the police of acting in bad faith and expressed concern about the IGP disobeying a court order. Despite the challenges, Chioma’s legal team reiterated their readiness to face any case but emphasized the importance of adhering to due process.

The case is scheduled for a hearing at the Federal High Court in Abuja today, January 10, 2024, further intensifying the legal debate surrounding Chioma Okoli’s arrest and the alleged overreach of police authority.

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