Four bloggers, Precious Eze, Olawale Rotimi, Rowland Olonishuwa, and Seun Odunlami, were re-arraigned in a Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday over allegations of cyberstalking and extortion against Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) and its Chief Executive Officer, Segun Agbaje.
The defendants face a 10-count charge bordering on conspiracy, cyberstalking, false publication, extortion, threat, and loss of shares and market value. Prosecutor Ajibola Aribisala (SAN) alleged that the defendants conspired to publish false allegations on social media to harm GTCO’s reputation, extort the company, and cause a breakdown in law and order.
According to Aribisala, the defendants’ actions contravened sections 27(1)(a), 24(1)(b), and 24(2)(c)(ii) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act, 2015, as well as sections 422, 507, and 408 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap. C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Justice Ayokunle Faji ordered the defendants to be remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre pending bail applications. The case was adjourned until October 24, 2024.
Defense counsel Olakunle Afolabi initially objected to the amended charges but later withdrew his objection. The defendants pleaded not guilty to the amended charges.
The defendants were initially arraigned on September 27, 2024, on two counts of cyberstalking and false publications. The Nigeria Police had obtained a fiat from the Inspector General of Police to prosecute the case.
GTCO had previously denied allegations of wrongdoing, stating that the company operates in accordance with regulatory requirements and industry standards.
