By Emmanuel Daniji

A 35-year-old woman, Ifeoma Vivian Nwafor, has been arraigned before the Federal High Court in Lagos over the alleged cyberstalking of Folashade Noimat Okoya, Managing Director of Eleganza Industries Limited.

Nwafor appeared before Justice Dipeolu on a three-count charge filed by the Inspector-General of Police, bordering on conspiracy and alleged cyberstalking.

The prosecution alleged that she conspired with other persons still at large to publish offensive, false and malicious content about Okoya on Instagram.

Okoya is the wife of Chief Razaq Akanni Okoya, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Eleganza Group of Companies.

Nwafor, a graduate of Oduduwa University, Ipetumodu, Osun State, pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to her.

The case, marked FHC/LAG/CR/819/2026, is being prosecuted by the Legal Department of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Alagbon, Ikoyi, Lagos, under the supervision of CSP Adewuyi Taiwo Oyewale.

Stanley Nwafoaku appeared for the prosecution, while O.J. Aduwa represented the defendant.

Following her plea, the prosecution asked the court to remand Nwafor in custody pending trial. Her lawyer, however, applied for bail under Sections 35(4), 36(1) and 36(5) of the Nigerian Constitution, assuring the court that she would attend proceedings.

The prosecution said it would not oppose the application.

Justice Dipeolu granted Nwafor bail in the sum of ₦3 million, with two sureties in like sum. The judge directed that the sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction, with one required to be a blood relative of the defendant.

The sureties must also provide evidence of three years’ tax payments, their National Identification Numbers and photographs, and swear affidavits confirming compliance with the bail conditions.

Nwafor was further ordered to sign an undertaking to make herself available for trial.

The case was adjourned until November 8 for trial. The court ordered that she remain at the Kirikiri Centre of the Nigeria Correctional Service until she fulfils her bail conditions.

According to the prosecution, the alleged offences occurred in June 2026 around the Lekki-Epe Expressway in Lagos. The charge alleges that Nwafor and others at large conspired to commit a felony.

It further alleges that material was published through the Instagram accounts @cutie_juis and @truestorieswithifeomafans, with the intention of causing annoyance, injury, fear, intimidation, enmity or needless anxiety to Okoya.

The prosecution also alleged that photographs of Okoya and defamatory material about her were published online.

The alleged conspiracy was said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Law of the Federation.

Nwafor has pleaded not guilty, and the allegations remain before the court.