The trial of four bloggers charged with blackmailing Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) and its Group CEO, Segun Agbaje, will resume this Thursday, December 12, 2024, following the defence’s request to call more witnesses.
The four bloggers—Precious Eze, Olawale Rotimi, Rowland Olonishuwa, and Seun Odunlami—are facing serious charges for allegedly publishing false and damaging information about GTCO and Agbaje across various social media platforms.
At the latest court hearing, held on December 10, 2024, the defence counsel, A. Adeniyi, requested permission from Justice Ayokunle Faji to call additional witnesses in the ongoing trial.
The bloggers were arrested by the Special Fraud Unit of the Nigeria Police Force, Lagos, and charged with a 10-count amended indictment. The allegations center around the publication of false information, which could potentially harm the reputation of the financial institution and its leadership.
A Serious Allegation with Far-Reaching Implications
The accused bloggers have pleaded not guilty to the charges. They were denied bail earlier in the case, with Eze, one of the defendants, being identified as a serial offender who had been involved in similar offenses in another court.
In his ruling on bail, Justice Faji emphasized the gravity of the charges, noting that the bloggers were facing accusations that could carry up to 14 years in prison.
The judge further stated that the actions of the accused had the potential to destabilize the banking sector, especially considering that some of the charges involved internet-based activities that crossed national borders.
“Their actions are not only damaging to GTCO but also challenge the authority of regulatory bodies, including the Central Bank of Nigeria, which had previously approved GTCO’s audited statements,” Justice Faji remarked during earlier hearings.
Police Witness Testifies Under Cross-Examination
At the resumed hearing on December 10, 2024, the defence cross-examined the police witness, M. Yakubu, who has been with the investigation since 2001. Adeniyi, the defence lawyer, probed the witness on several critical points regarding international investigative laws and the procedures followed during the defendants’ interrogations.
“Are you familiar with international laws and practices that guide investigators?” Adeniyi asked.
The witness, who had conducted the interrogations, replied, “I am aware,” affirming his understanding of proper investigative procedures.
Adeniyi further questioned the witness about the absence of legal counsel during the defendants’ statement recordings, and the witness confirmed that the defendants had agreed to proceed without their lawyers present. He also noted that only one interrogation room was available at the police station and that CCTV footage was the only form of observation available during the interrogations.
Defence Seeks More Time to Call Witnesses
The defence counsel requested that the court allow more time for calling additional witnesses. However, the prosecution counsel, Chief Ajibola Aribisala (SAN), opposed the request, urging the court to either reject it or compel the defence to provide the list of potential witnesses in advance.
In his ruling, Justice Faji agreed to hear further witness testimony but insisted that the defence update the prosecution with the list of witnesses by the next hearing date on December 12, 2024.
Accusations of Blackmail and its Consequences
The bloggers are accused of orchestrating a campaign of misinformation against GTCO and its CEO, Segun Agbaje, which allegedly sought to extort money from the company by threatening to damage its reputation. The social media posts are said to have made unfounded allegations of mismanagement and misconduct, potentially causing harm to the financial institution’s standing in the industry.
The charges against the bloggers come at a time when online misinformation and defamation cases are becoming more common, especially involving high-profile companies and executives. If convicted, the defendants face severe penalties under Nigerian law, including long prison sentences.
The Road Ahead
As the trial continues, all eyes will be on the court’s handling of the case, particularly in light of the serious charges and the possible impact on both the accused bloggers and GTCO.
Justice Faji has made it clear that the trial will be handled with urgency, acknowledging the importance of protecting the integrity of the financial sector and preventing the spread of harmful misinformation.
The defence will have another opportunity to present their case on Thursday, with the prosecution closely monitoring the proceedings to ensure that the case is handled fairly and that the rule of law is upheld.
The trial has brought attention to the power of social media and the legal consequences of its misuse, especially when it involves influential corporations and individuals.
