The Police have re-arraigned four bloggers—Precious Eze, Olawale Rotimi, Rowland Olonishuwa, and Seun Odunlami—on fresh charges before the Federal High Court in Lagos, alleging that they engaged in cyberstalking and published false claims against Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) through various social media platforms.
The defendants are facing a total of 10 counts, which include conspiracy, cyberstalking, false and misleading publication, extortion, threats, and causing damage to the company’s shares and market value. This re-arraignment follows their initial charges on September 27, 2024, where they were accused of cyberstalking and making false publications intended to insult GTCO’s CEO, Segun Agbaje.
After the defendants entered their pleas, Justice Ayokunle Faji ordered their remand at the Correctional Centre.
The new charges assert that the bloggers knowingly disseminated false and misleading allegations against GTCO, its management, the Central Bank of Nigeria, and the Nigerian banking system, with the intent to incite disorder. The prosecution argued that these allegations were not only damaging to GTCO’s reputation but were also used as a means to extort the company.
Further details are expected to emerge as the case develops.
Written By; Christopher Emuakpeje