[By Abigail Philip David]
On Monday, the Police re-arraigned four bloggers — Precious Eze, Olawale Rotimi, Rowland Olonishuwa, and Seun Odunlami — before the Federal High Court in Lagos on new charges related to cyberstalking and publishing false allegations against Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO).
The bloggers face a 10-count charge that includes conspiracy, cyberstalking, false and misleading publication, extortion, threats, and causing a loss of shares and market value for GTCO. The charges were brought forward by the police following an investigation into their activities on social media.
The defendants were initially arraigned on September 27, 2024, on two counts of cyberstalking and publishing false statements intended to defame GTCO’s CEO, Segun Agbaje. After entering their pleas, Justice Ayokunle Faji ordered their remand at the Correctional Centre.
In the updated charges, the bloggers are accused of deliberately spreading false and misleading information through social media channels about GTCO, its leadership, the Central Bank of Nigeria, and the Nigerian banking system. The prosecutor alleged that these posts were intended to cause disruption and harm to GTCO’s reputation, while also being used as a tool to extort the company.
Further details on the case are expected as the trial progresses.
