A Federal High Court judge rebuked the police for wasting time after they withdrew evidence in the cyberstalking case between Erisco Foods and Chioma Okoli.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has criticised the Inspector General of Police (IGP) for wasting its time after prosecutors withdrew evidence in the ongoing cyberstalking case involving social media user Chioma Okoli and Erisco Foods Limited.
At Wednesday’s hearing, police lawyer Adam Ugwuanyi withdrew an application to tender several documents after defence counsel Inibehe Effiong objected to their admissibility.
Justice Peter Lifu reprimanded the prosecution, stating that the withdrawal had “wasted the court’s time” and noting that no cogent reason was given for the adjournment request.
The prosecution witness, Nnamdi Nwokolo, an aide to Erisco’s CEO, testified that Okoli’s 2023 Facebook post about the sugar content in Nagiko Tomato Mix triggered protests and a nationwide boycott campaign that hurt the company’s fortunes.
Mr Effiong argued that the police failed to comply with Section 84 of the Evidence Act, which governs electronic evidence, and that some documents were uncertified public records.
Justice Lifu, citing Section 17 of the Federal High Court Act, again encouraged both parties to pursue an amicable settlement but adjourned the case until January 21 and 22, 2025, for cross-examination of the first witness.