LAGOS — A 35-year-old woman, Ifeoma Vivian Nwafor, has been arraigned before the Federal High Court in Lagos over alleged cyberstalking and online publications involving Chief (Dr.) Mrs. Folashade Noimat Okoya, Managing Director of Eleganza Industries Limited.
Nwafor, who faces a three-count charge of conspiracy and alleged cyberstalking, pleaded not guilty to all the charges when they were read to her before Justice Deinde Dipeolu.
The judge granted her bail in the sum of ₦3 million, with two sureties in like sum, but ordered that she remain at the Kirikiri Centre of the Nigerian Correctional Service pending the fulfilment of her bail conditions.
The court adjourned the case until November 8, 2026, for trial.
The suit, marked FHC/LAG/CR/819/2026, was filed by the Inspector-General of Police over allegations that Nwafor used Instagram accounts to publish material the prosecution described as offensive, false and malicious against Mrs. Okoya, wife of billionaire industrialist and Chairman of Eleganza Group of Companies, Chief Razaq Akanni Okoya.
The prosecution alleged that Nwafor conspired with other persons still at large and participated in online publications intended to cause annoyance, fear, intimidation, injury or needless anxiety to the businesswoman.
Bail Conditions
Following the defendant’s plea, the prosecution urged the court to remand her in custody and fix a date for trial.
However, defence counsel, O. J. Aduwa, applied for bail under Sections 35(4), 36(1) and 36(5) of the Constitution, assuring the court that his client would attend proceedings throughout the trial.
The prosecution did not oppose the application, citing the nature of the alleged offences.
In granting bail, Justice Dipeolu directed that the two sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction, with one required to be a blood relation of the defendant.
The sureties must also present evidence of three years’ tax payment, their National Identification Numbers and photographs, and depose to affidavits of compliance.
The judge further ordered Nwafor to swear to an affidavit undertaking to make herself available for trial.
She was, however, ordered to remain in custody until the bail conditions are perfected.
What the Charges Say
In the first count, the prosecution alleged that Nwafor and others still at large conspired in June 2026, around the Lekki-Epe Expressway area of Lagos, to commit a felony.
The charge alleged that the defendants acted with the intention of causing annoyance, injury, fear, intimidation, enmity or needless anxiety to Mrs. Okoya.
The prosecution also alleged that material concerning the businesswoman, including her photographs, was published through Instagram accounts identified in the charge as @cutie_juis and @truestorieswithifeomafans.
The first count was brought under Section 516 of the Criminal Law of the Federation.
In the second count, the prosecution alleged that Nwafor used the Instagram handle @truestorieswithifeomafans to publish a statement concerning Mrs. Okoya that was derogatory and calculated to expose her to mockery, ridicule, gossip, suspicion and scandal.
The charge cited Section 24(2)(a) and (b) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.
The third count similarly accused the defendant of using an online link to publish photographs of Mrs. Okoya alongside a statement the prosecution described as derogatory and calculated to attract mockery, ridicule, suspicion and scandal.
The prosecution cited Section 24(1)(a) and (b) of the Act in that count.
The case is being handled by the Legal Department of the Force Criminal Investigation Department Annex, Alagbon, Ikoyi, Lagos. The prosecution was represented by Stanley Nwafoaku under the supervision of CSP Adewuyi Taiwo Oyewale, officer in charge of the department’s legal unit.
How Social Media Controversy Began
The case follows a social media controversy that emerged in June 2026, shortly after the traditional wedding ceremony of Mrs. Okoya’s daughter.
At the time, a report alleging an illicit relationship between Mrs. Okoya and a veteran in the Nigerian entertainment industry circulated widely online, attracting public attention and repeated reposts across social media platforms.
The prosecution’s case against Nwafor centres on her alleged participation in online publications connected to the controversy.
The proceedings also bring renewed attention to the legal risks associated with publishing or republishing material online. Depending on the circumstances, the person who shares or republishes content may face legal consequences even if they did not originate it.
However, whether a particular publication attracts criminal or civil liability depends on the applicable law, the facts of the case and any available legal defences.
The allegations against Nwafor have yet to be proved in court. She has pleaded not guilty to all three counts, and the matter is scheduled to proceed to trial on November 8, 2026.
