A Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out the preliminary objection by Mrs Chioma Egodi Okoli challenging the court’s jurisdiction to hear her trial on alleged cybercrime offences.
Justice Peter Lifu on Friday struck out the application after Okoli declared her intention to withdraw it.
Counsel to Okoli, Lilian Ufuasia Esq informed the court that the defence is no longer interested in seeking a transfer of the case file to Lagos where she resides, which was not opposed by prosecution counsel, Sidi Anthony Esq.
The Inspector General of Police had filed two-count charges against the embattled reviewer of Erisco Foods tomato paste of criminal defamation alongside Happiness Obas and Don Kashking, both said to be at large.
The defendants were accused of conspiracy to send a message on Facebook through the handle Chioma Egodi Jnr, to instigate people against Erisco Foods Limited.
According to the charge, the defendants knew the said “information to be false and with intent to cause annoyance, inconvenience danger, obstruction, insult, injury, criminal intimidation, enmity, hatred, ill will or needless anxiety to Erisco Foods Limited, the management and members of the family.”
The offences are contrary to Section 27(1)(b) and 24(1)(b) Cyber Crime Prohibition Act.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The case has been adjourned to December 4 for trial.