Four journalists remanded for alleged false publication against GTB boss

Four journalists remanded for alleged false publication against GTB boss

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on Friday remanded four online journalists over alleged cyberstalking and publishing false information aimed at insulting the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Guaranty Trust Holding Plc, Mr Segun Agbaje.

The journalists had reportedly been in police detention for about a week before they were charged to court.

The four accused persons, Precious Eze, male (38), Olawale Rotimi, male (47), Rowland Olonishu and Seun Odunlami, were on the orders of Justice Ayokunle Faji’ taken to the Ikoyi facility of the Nigeria Correctional Service Centre after they were arraigned before the court on a two count charge of cyberstalking and spreading false information.

The police had in the amended charge dated the 26th day of September 2024 alleged, among others, that the four defendants, sometime in August 2024 in Lagos conspired amongst themselves to commit a felony to wit: cyberstalking and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 27 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act 2015 as amended in 2024.

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The four defendants were also alleged to have knowingly sent false messages or publications on social media, through a computer or network to the general public as follows: “EFCC, FIRS storm GTBank over Segun Agbaje’s N1 trillion scam” and “Whistle Blowers expose Segun Agbaje Nepotism, power play, enrich him(sic) and sister, Kofo Dosekunni” among other publications, to insult the Group Chief Executive Officer of Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc, Mr Segun Agbaje.

The offence is said to be punishable under section 24 (1) (b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition/prevention, etc) Act, 2015 as amended in 2024.

Justice Faji’ adjourned the matter till October 4 for trial.

Four journalists remanded for alleged false publication against GTB boss