Court arraigns woman over alleged cyberstalking of Folashade Okoya

By KEMI KASUMU

The matter was prosecuted by Stanley Nwafoaku on behalf of the Legal Department of the FCID Annex, Alagbon, Ikoyi, Lagos, under the supervision of CSP Adewuyi Taiwo Oyewale.

The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has arraigned a 35-year-old woman, Ifeoma Vivian Nwafor, over alleged conspiracy and cyberstalking involving Chief (Dr.) Mrs. Folashade Noimat Okoya, Managing Director of Eleganza Industries Limited and wife of billionaire industrialist, Alhaji Chief (Dr.) Razaq Akanni Okoya.

Nwafor, who hails from Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State, was arraigned on a three-count charge filed by the Inspector-General of Police in Suit No. FHC/LAG/CR/819/2026.

She pleaded not guilty to all three counts.

The prosecution alleged that Nwafor, acting in concert with others still at large, used Instagram accounts, including @cutie_juis and @truestorieswithifeomafans, to publish what it described as offensive, false and malicious material concerning Mrs. Okoya.

According to the charge, the alleged publications were calculated to cause “annoyance, injury, fear, intimidation, enmity and/or needless anxiety” to the complainant.

Following her plea, Justice Deinde Dipeolu granted Nwafor bail in the sum of N3 million, with two sureties in like sum.

The court ordered that one of the sureties must be a blood relation of the defendant, while both must reside within the court’s jurisdiction.

The sureties were also directed to provide evidence of three years’ tax payment, their National Identification Numbers (NINs), photographs and affidavits of compliance.

Nwafor was equally ordered to depose to an affidavit undertaking to make herself available for trial.

However, Justice Dipeolu directed that she remain at the Kirikiri Centre of the Nigerian Correctional Service pending the perfection of her bail conditions.

The case was adjourned until November 8, 2026, for trial.

Three-count charge

In the first count, the prosecution alleged that Nwafor and others still at large conspired sometime in June 2026, at Lekki-Epe Expressway, Lagos, to commit a felony.

The prosecution alleged that the defendant participated in publishing pictures of Mrs. Okoya alongside material it described as offensive, false and malicious.

The count was brought under Section 516 of the Criminal Law of the Federation.

In the second count, Nwafor was accused of using the Instagram handle @truestorieswithifeomafans to publish a statement which the prosecution said was derogatory and calculated to expose Mrs. Okoya to “mockery, ridicule, gossip, suspicion and scandal.”

The alleged offence was brought under Section 24(2)(a) and (b) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.

The third count similarly alleged that Nwafor used an online link to publish photographs of Mrs. Okoya alongside a statement described as derogatory and calculated to expose her to mockery, ridicule, suspicion and scandal.

The prosecution said the alleged conduct contravened Section 24(1)(a) and (b) of the Cybercrime Act.

How controversy started

The charges arose from a social media controversy that emerged in June 2026, shortly after the traditional wedding ceremony of Mrs. Okoya’s daughter.

A report alleging an illicit relationship between Mrs. Okoya and a veteran in the Nigerian entertainment industry subsequently circulated widely across social media platforms.

The allegation attracted substantial online attention, with the material reportedly being reposted and discussed across different platforms.

The prosecution’s case, however, is limited to the specific allegations contained in the three-count charge before the Federal High Court.

At Wednesday’s proceedings, the prosecution urged the court to remand the defendant and adjourn the matter for trial.

Defence counsel, O. J. Aduwa, subsequently applied for bail pursuant to Sections 35(4), 36(1) and 36(5) of the Constitution, assuring the court that his client would make herself available throughout the trial.

The prosecution did not oppose the bail application, taking into consideration the nature of the alleged offences.

The matter was prosecuted by Stanley Nwafoaku on behalf of the Legal Department of the FCID Annex, Alagbon, Ikoyi, Lagos, under the supervision of CSP Adewuyi Taiwo Oyewale.

Nwafor, a graduate of Oduduwa University, Ipetumodu, Osun State, remains presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The court will hear the matter on November 8, 2026.