Okoye's conviction came on Wednesday, April 3, after she pleaded guilty to the charges brought against her. She admitted to defaming Eniola Badmus at the behest of a friend, Fortune Ibe, who promised her N200,000 for the act.

Although remorseful for her actions, Justice Oweibo gave Okoye the option to pay a fine of N150,000 in lieu of serving jail time. The court determined that Okoye's actions violated Sections 24(1)(b)(2)(a)(c) and 27 of the Cybercrimes Act, 2015.

Notably, Okoye's co-accused, Chimabia, is currently at large, with both individuals facing joint charges for the offence.

Meanwhile, it's worth noting that in 2023, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) highlighted a ruling by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Court regarding Section 24 of Nigeria's Cybercrime Act. The ECOWAS Court declared the provision vague, arbitrary, and unlawful in response to a suit filed by SERAP, asserting that the section contradicted the rule of law.

SERAP emphasized on its Twitter page that the ruling rendered Section 24 invalid, thereby challenging the police's ability to charge individuals with cyberstalking based on its provisions.

The legal proceedings surrounding Okoye's case underscore the evolving landscape of cybercrime legislation in Nigeria and highlight the importance of upholding the rule of law in addressing defamation and online misconduct. As the legal framework continues to evolve, individuals are urged to exercise caution and responsibility in their online interactions to avoid legal repercussions.