Court Orders Remand Of Odunlami, Others Over False Publications Targeting Segun Agbaje, GTCO CEO

In a case that highlights the growing challenges of online defamation, four bloggers have been remanded by Justice Ayokunle Faji of the Federal High Court in Lagos for allegedly cyberstalking and spreading false information aimed at damaging the reputation of Segun Agbaje, the Chief Executive Officer of Guaranty Trust Holding Company PLC (GTCO).

The bloggers—Precious Eze, 38; Olawale Rotimi, 47; Rowland Olonishu; and Seun Odunlami—were arraigned on Friday on a two-count charge of cyberstalking and dissemination of false information. The charges were brought forward by the Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU) in Ikoyi, Lagos, in relation to a series of defamatory publications against Mr. Agbaje that allegedly appeared online in August 2024.

According to the prosecution led by Emmanuel Jackson, the bloggers conspired to spread false reports through various social media platforms with the intent to harm Agbaje’s reputation. Among the allegations made by the bloggers were claims that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had raided GTBank as part of a probe into a purported N1 trillion scam linked to Agbaje. Additionally, the defendants were accused of making unfounded claims about Agbaje’s nepotism, alleging that he was enriching himself and his sister, Kofo Dosekunni, through illicit power plays within the company.

The prosecution emphasized that these publications were not only false but were intended to cause significant harm by intimidating, insulting, or causing unwarranted anxiety to Mr. Agbaje. They argued that such actions contravened Sections 27 and 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act of 2015, as recently amended in 2024.

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Defendants Plead Not Guilty

Upon their arraignment, the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges. The police prosecutor, Jackson, alongside Justin Enang, called on the court to proceed with the case and requested a trial date. They also sought the remand of the accused bloggers in custody, citing the seriousness of the allegations and the need to ensure their presence during trial.

Defence counsel O.A. Afolabi, representing two of the defendants, did not oppose the request for a trial date but sought bail for his clients. Afolabi made an oral application for their release on bail, arguing that the bloggers were not flight risks and should be allowed to remain free pending trial.

However, Jackson objected to this application, contending that it would be inappropriate to grant bail to only two defendants in a joint trial. The prosecutor further stressed the need for a formal bail application to be made in accordance with legal procedures, an argument that was upheld by the court.

Justice Faji declined the oral bail application and ordered the bloggers to be remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre. He advised the defence team to file a formal bail application for consideration, stating that the court would only address the matter through proper legal channels.

Awaiting Trial Date

The case has been adjourned to October 4, 2024, when the trial is expected to commence. The court’s ruling has sparked widespread attention, given the high-profile nature of the allegations and the involvement of a major figure in Nigeria’s banking sector. Agbaje, who has long been a prominent leader in the financial industry, has yet to comment publicly on the case, but sources close to GTCO have dismissed the bloggers’ claims as “baseless and without merit.”

The case underscores the increasingly complex legal landscape surrounding online media and the growing number of cybercrime cases involving defamation and false publications. With social media platforms becoming a common outlet for both legitimate journalism and malicious misinformation, the boundaries of free speech and responsible journalism continue to be tested in Nigerian courts.

As the trial unfolds, it is likely to raise important questions about the balance between protecting individual reputations and preserving freedom of expression in the digital age. For now, however, the four bloggers remain in custody as they await their day in court.