Four Bloggers Face Fresh Charges For Cyberstalking Guaranty Trust Holding Company
The Nigeria Police on Monday re-arraigned four bloggers—Precious Eze, Olawale Rotimi, Rowland Olonishuwa, and Seun Odunlami—before the Federal High Court in Lagos on fresh charges of cyberstalking and publishing false allegations against Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO). The bloggers now face a 10-count charge involving conspiracy, cyberstalking, false and misleading publications, extortion, and causing loss of shares and market value to the company.
Initially arraigned on September 27, 2024, on two counts of cyberstalking and false publication against GTCO’s Chief Executive Officer, Segun Agbaje, the defendants were remanded at Ikoyi Correctional Centre by Justice Ayokunle Faji after pleading not guilty. However, during Monday’s proceedings, the police, led by prosecutor Ajibola Aribisala (SAN), informed the court that the charges had been amended to 10 counts, after obtaining a fiat from the Inspector General of Police to prosecute the case.
The fresh charges allege that in August 2024, the defendants conspired to cyberstalk and disseminate false and misleading information about GTCO, its management, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and the entire Nigerian banking system. The prosecution argues that these unsubstantiated allegations were made with the intent to harm the reputation of the financial institutions and cause a breakdown of law and order. Additionally, the prosecution claims the bloggers sought to extort GTCO by threatening to continue publishing these false reports, aiming to manipulate the company’s share value.
The police stated that the defendants’ actions violated multiple provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015, as well as the Criminal Code Act. Specifically, the offences were said to contravene Sections 27 (1) (a), (b), 24 (1)(b), and 24 (2)(c)(ii) of the Cybercrimes Act, as well as Sections 422, 507, and 408 of the Criminal Code Act.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the amended charges. Justice Faji ordered their continued remand at the correctional facility pending the filing and hearing of bail applications. Defense counsel Olakunle Afolabi initially objected to the arraignment based on the fresh charges and requested more time to review them. While he offered to apply for bail orally, the judge declined, stating that a formal bail application would be required. Following this, the objection was withdrawn, and the amended charges were read.
The case has been adjourned to October 24, 2024, for the defense to file a bail application and for the prosecution to submit the proof of evidence.
