A Federal High Court in Abuja has heard that Chioma Okoli did not directly call on the public to stop purchasing or using Erisco Foods’ tomato paste, despite claims that her social media post damaged the company’s reputation.
The admission was made on Wednesday by Mr Nnamdi Nwokolo, a representative of Erisco Foods, during cross-examination by Okoli’s lawyer, Mr Inibehe Effiong.
Nwokolo told the court that while Okoli did not explicitly ask consumers to boycott the product, her Facebook post carried an implication that people should avoid it.
He also confirmed that Erisco Foods alleged in a petition to the police that Okoli was part of an organised syndicate involved in the distribution of fake tomato paste. However, he acknowledged that no fake Erisco product was found in her possession.
The witness said he was unaware that the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control had imposed a ₦1 million fine on Erisco Foods for advertising fake tomato paste.
Justice Peter Lifu subsequently adjourned the matter until 22 January for further hearing.
At an earlier sitting, Justice Lifu had encouraged both parties to explore an out-of-court settlement, citing his powers under the Federal High Court Rules to promote reconciliation.
Responding to the judge’s enquiry on why settlement had failed, Nwokolo said the defendant had refused to apologise to the company, claiming she initially apologised but later withdrew it. The prosecution counsel, Mr Adams Ugwuanyi, said proceedings would continue while settlement options remained open.
Okoli is facing two cybercrime-related charges arising from a Facebook post dated 17 September 2023, in which she complained that a tomato product manufactured by Erisco Foods was excessively sugary.
