Attack On Free Press: Court Strike Out GTB Suit Against Four Journalists

A Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos State, on Thursday, struck out the cyberstalking and defamation case filed by Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) against four journalists.

The case, marked FHC/L/774C/2024, was dismissed by Justice Ayokunle Faji after the prosecution, led by Chief Ajibola Aribisala (SAN), informed the court that GTCO and the defendants had reached an out-of-court settlement.

The prosecution confirmed that all allegations against the journalists had been withdrawn, with supporting documents stan smith nuud women black and blue jordan shoes - IetpShops - Adidas AdiFC Orlando Pirates submitted to the court.

OSUN DEFENDER had reported that the journalists—Precious Eze, Olawale Rotimi, Rowland Olonishuwa, and Seun Odunlami—were arrested in September 2024 by the Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU), Lagos, following a petition filed by GTCO on the instructions of its CEO, Mr.  Segun Agbaje.

The case had drawn significant public attention, with many questioning the motives behind GTCO’s legal onslaught against the journalists.

Critics and right groups also accused the bank of weaponising the legal system to intimidate independent media voices.

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Back in October 2024, the Nigeria Police re-arraigned the four journalists on fresh charges before the Federal High Court in Lagos, escalating the case from two counts of cyberstalking and false publication to 10 counts bordering on conspiracy, cyberstalking, false and misleading publication, extortion, threat, and causing financial losses.

The original charges, filed on September 27, 2024, alleged that the journalists had published reports aimed at “insulting” GTCO’s Chief Executive Officer, Segun Agbaje.

Justice Faji ordered their remand at the Ikoyi Correctional adidas Samba Sizing: How Do They Fit? , adidas nebzed k eh2542 negras , IetpShops Centre, a move seen by press freedom advocates as an effort to suppress dissenting voices.

The prosecution had claimed that the journalists, along with others still at large, conspired to cyberstalk and publish misleading allegations against GTCO, the Central Bank of Nigeria, and the entire Nigerian banking system in an attempt to cause financial panic.

Aribisala argued that the defendants had attempted to extort GTCO by fabricating “false, misleading, and unsubstantiated allegations” aimed at damaging the bank’s reputation.

He further claimed that the journalists deliberately orchestrated a media campaign to trigger a loss of shares and market value for GTCO.

According to the prosecutor, their actions contravened multiple sections of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act, 2015, and the Criminal Code Act, Cap. C 38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

Despite these heavy accusations, the journalists maintained their innocence, pleading not guilty barron trump height tall nikes melania donald trump to all charges.

Their lawyer, Olakunle Afolabi, had strongly objected to the fresh amendments, arguing that they were nothing more than an attempt to prolong their unlawful detention.

The recent pronouncement of the court has now set them free from the prosecution.