Digital Journalists group, Guild of digital Journalists, GDJ has call on its members to shun GTB in protest against the ongoing trial of 4 journalists charged with defaming and cyberstalking the management of GTCO (Guaranty Trust Holding Company), including its Group CEO, Mr. adsbygoogle || []).push({}); googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"> Segun Agbaje.

The four accused—Precious Eze, Olawale Rotimi, Rowland Olonishuwa, and Seun Odunlami—are facing 10 amended charges for allegedly publishing false information about the company through various social media platforms.

This is contained in a Speech Delivered by Mr. Opeyemi Daniel Adeoti, Chairman, Guild of Digital Journalists, GDJ, on the Trial of Four Nigerian Journalists in Lagos, Friday,  November 15th, 2024 in Ilorin, Kwara State.

Adeoti said, “Good day, colleagues and members of the media community in Kwara State. We have gathered here to inform you about the challenges faced by Rowland Olonishuwa, Precious Eze, Olawale Rotimi and Seun Odunlami, our companions, who are currently in custody at a correctional facility in Ikoyi, Lagos due to a petition by the Chief Executive Officer of Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) Segun Agabje over alleged libelous publication against Guaranty Trust Bank.

While we acknowledge that being a journalist does not exempt one from the law, we strongly believe that nobody should be treated as if they are below the law, as our colleagues have been.

The Guild of Digital Journalists is a union of professional journalists who have transitioned from working as primary reporters in established news organizations to establishing and managing their own media platforms, incorporating their expertise into online and social media publishing.

Our membership encompasses bloggers, social media influencers, and microblogging enthusiasts. We have a total of 2,700 members in Kwara State and other regions of the country.

As an organization, we are aware that the entire ordeal faced by these journalists is at the behest of GTB’s management. In light of this, we commend the recent directive from the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ, Ogun State Council, urging its members to terminate their accounts with GTB.

In our capacity, we are initiating steps to escalate this directive into a nationwide boycott of GTB as a financial institution. By the close of business today, we intend to communicate with all our members to encourage them to follow this course of action as a means of protesting against the treatment of these journalists.

As part of the guidance provided to our members, we have compiled a list of alternative banks along with the names and contact details of account officers at these banks to facilitate a smooth transition away from GTB.

Members of the press, you may have learned that the trial court overseeing the case of our colleagues in Lagos adjourned proceedings, once again, to the 10th and 12th of December.

This leaves no doubt as to GTB’s true intentions in instigating the arrest of our colleagues, exploiting a vaguely defined clause in the cybercrime amendment act. We firmly condemn the ongoing trials of these four journalists.

Let it be known once more, unequivocally, that journalism is not a criminal offense.

Furthermore, the Guild of Digital Journalists expresses deep disappointment at the lackluster response from the national Secretariat of the NUJ in Abuja.

While we acknowledge the ongoing leadership transition within the NUJ hierarchy, the Secretariat should have displayed more empathy or at least aligned its voice with the calls for the release of these journalists.

As journalists in practice, we urge stakeholders such as the National Assembly, the Nigerian Guild of Editors, and human rights activists and NGOs to unite in raising global awareness about the plight of our colleagues in Lagos.

Specifically, we call on the National Assembly to review the recently amended Cybercrime Act with the aim of rectifying its draconian provisions, which criminalize journalists for expressing their fundamental right of freedom of expression or potentially repealing it.

Throughout these past two months of adversity, we have encountered allies and comrades who have taken up the cause. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the National Guild of Investigative Journalists (NGIJ) and the legal team who have worked tirelessly to secure the release of the journalists.

Special appreciation goes to Asiwaju Kunle Kalejaiye, SAN, Mr. Olalekan Ojo, SAN, Mr. Kunle Adegoke, SAN, Barrister Kunle Afolabi, and Barrister Adebisi Adeniyi for their unwavering support in the face of daunting tasks.

We equally call on Nigerian media to rally round our colleagues by giving adequate reportage of the court proceedings.

Author Profile

Abdulrahman Obaje

Prince Abdulrahman Obaje is a Media, Information and Computer Technology Consultant. A quintessential Journalist, online marketer, social media strategist, Mathematician and Computer Scientist is based in Abuja, Nigeria. He is the Founder and the Publisher of The Informavores!. You can reach me on +234 805 939 5252 or send i-witness report directly to me on news@informavores.com.ng.

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Three Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN) have joined the defense team for four journalists accused of cyberstalking and defamation against GTCO, the parent company of Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank), and its Group Chief Executive Officer, Segun Agbaje. adsbygoogle || []).push({}); js">

The distinguished advocates, Asiwaju Kunle Kalejaye, SAN, Olalekan Ojo, SAN, and Kunle Adegoke, SAN, were present at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi on Wednesday, accompanied by other legal representatives, including Barristers Olakunle Afolabi and Adebisi Adeniyi, as the trial progresses.

In a ruling on Wednesday, Justice Ayokunle Faji of the Federal High Court denied the bail application for the four defendants in case number FHC/L/774C/2024. Justice Faji’s decision was based on affidavits filed by both the defense counsel and counter affidavits from the prosecution team.

The four journalists have been held at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre since September following their arrests by the police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU) in Ikoyi.

Defense counsel Afolabi argued for bail on liberal terms pending arraignment, asserting that the alleged offenses are bailable.

The police have accused the journalists—Precious Eze, Olawale Rotimi, Rowland Olonishuwa, and Seun Odunlami—of conspiracy, cyberstalking, and publishing false allegations against GTCO and Agbaje through their media platforms.

During cross-examination by Olalekan Ojo, SAN, in the ongoing trial-within-trial, police witness Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Abu Michael admitted that the video evidence presented does not capture any instance where the defendants waived their rights to legal representation before providing statements.

The defendants maintain they were coerced into giving statements despite informing the police that their lawyers were en route.

Justice Faji has requested evidence in the trial-within-trial to substantiate the police’s claim that the defendants voluntarily provided their statements. CSP Abu also indicated that the video recordings submitted as evidence were for the first and second defendants, while those for the third and fourth defendants were lost due to technical issues.

Abu noted that although the Investigating Police Officer (IPO), ASP Yaqob Sule, conducted the questioning, he monitored the proceedings from a separate room.

On Thursday, the prosecution team, led by Aribisala SAN, called ASP Yaqob Sule as the final witness in the trial-within-trial. Sule testified that the defendants voluntarily wrote their statements while in police custody.

Justice Faji adjourned the case to December 10 and 12, 2024, to allow the new defense counsels to confer with the defendants.

It should be noted that the House of Representatives recently launched an investigation into allegations of corruption, falsification of financial reports, and money laundering against Mr. Segun Agbaje, the Group Chief Executive Officer of Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO), and the bank itself.

The investigation followed a petition submitted by Alhaji Yusuf Kabiru, President of the Arewa Consultative Youth Movement, and presented by Hon. Nnamdi Ezechi from Delta State to the lawmakers.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee reportedly directed Guaranty Trust Holding Company to calculate and remit the Value Added Tax on commissions received from Remita transactions between 2015 and 2022 to the Federal Government.

The committee, chaired by Bamidele Salam, who represents Ede South/Ede North/Ejigbo/Egbedore Federal Constituency in Osun State, issued the directive during an ongoing investigation into alleged revenue leakages through the Remita platform. GTCO’s Executive Director, Mr. Ahmed Liman admitted that the bank had not remitted the VAT for eight years.

Additionally, the Global Integrity Crusade Network (GICN), a non-governmental organization, stormed the National Assembly on October 3, seeking a legislative probe into alleged “corruption, fraud, and financial irregularities” in the bank.

In a statement signed by Amb. Comr. Adebayo Lion Ogorry, Director of Publicity and Mobilization, the group claimed that a private investigator’s report revealed that under the leadership of Segun Julius Agbaje, GTCO had engaged in unsolicited account openings, declaration of fictitious profits, round-tripping, money laundering, terrorism financing, and the use of customers’ and investors’ funds to pay penalties in the United Kingdom.

The journalists currently undergoing trial had brought these issues to public attention in their publications.

Author Profile

Abdulrahman Obaje

Prince Abdulrahman Obaje is a Media, Information and Computer Technology Consultant. A quintessential Journalist, online marketer, social media strategist, Mathematician and Computer Scientist is based in Abuja, Nigeria. He is the Founder and the Publisher of The Informavores!. You can reach me on +234 805 939 5252 or send i-witness report directly to me on news@informavores.com.ng.

Latest entries

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By Abah Benjamin Eneojoh

Kogi State Auditor General for Local Government, Hon. Yakubu Adabenege Siyaka has charged the newly elected Local Government Chairmen, Director of Local Government (DLG) and their Treasurers to emulate Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s transparency, accountability and good governance. adsbygoogle || []).push({});

Hon Adabenege made this Statement today 12-11-2024 in Lokoja while addressing the newly elected Local ocal Government Chairmen, DLG, and their Treasurers in a maiden Meeting to emphasize the importance of financial discipline and adherence to financial instructions.

Adabenege in his confabulatory message to the newly elected chairmen praised Gov Ahmed Usman Ododo for allowing the will of the people to prevail maintaining that the meeting comes on the heels of the local government autonomy granted by the Federal Government, which Kogi State has already domesticated right from the administration of former Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello.

He stressed the need for financial responsibility and transparency, highlighting the significance of adhering to established financial guidelines. He encouraged the local government officials to prioritize accountability and ensure that funds are utilized efficiently.

According to the Director for Audit Services, the meeting was to ensure that local governments manage their finances prudently and in accordance with established regulations. He further noted that Compliance with financial guidelines and procedures to maintain transparency and accountability is key to good governance.

Chris urged participants to maximize the benefits of local government autonomy to drive development and growth in the state adding that a harmonious relationship should be created between the Chairmen and the Civil Servants

The chairman of Yagba east who doubles as the ALGON chairman of the State Hon Olokun Tosin appreciated the Auditor General for Local Government for the robust engagement and promised to keep all the instructions given to them, stressing that the only way he could reciprocate the good work Gov Ahmed Usman Ododo is doing in his Local Government was to deliver good governance to his people.

The DLG Lokoja and the chairman of the Association of DLG and Treasurers of Kogi State, Mr Aliyu Musa also commended Hon Adabenege for his proactiveness noting that the State was not disappointed in their votes for Governor Ododo.

By conducting this meeting, Hon. Adabenege has demonstrated his commitment to promoting good governance and financial stewardship in the state.

Author Profile

Abdulrahman Obaje

Prince Abdulrahman Obaje is a Media, Information and Computer Technology Consultant. A quintessential Journalist, online marketer, social media strategist, Mathematician and Computer Scientist is based in Abuja, Nigeria. He is the Founder and the Publisher of The Informavores!. You can reach me on +234 805 939 5252 or send i-witness report directly to me on news@informavores.com.ng.

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Latest entries

• NewsNovember 15, 2024GTBank Alleged Cyberstalking: Digital Journalists Group Direct Members, Charges Others To Boycott GTB
• NewsNovember 14, 2024GTBank Alleged Cyberstalking: 3 SANs Storm Court, Justice Faji Denies Journalists Bail
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• NewsNovember 11, 2024TREASURE ABAH: Happy Birthday to Our Illustrious Alumna, Mrs. Yaiye Elebiyo Edeni.