Four bloggers charged with cyberstalking Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO) and its Group Chief Executive Officer, Segun Agbaje, have regained their freedom after spending six months in custody.
The charges, initially filed under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, were withdrawn on Thursday after a settlement agreement was reached between the parties.
Court Strikes Out Case After Settlement
The Federal High Court in Lagos, presided over by Justice Ayokunle Faji, formally struck out the case following the prosecution’s submission regarding the resolution.
The Police Special Fraud Unit in Ikoyi, Lagos, had charged bloggers Precious Eze (38), Olawale Rotimi (47), Rowland Olonishuwa, and Seun Odunlami with disseminating false information about GTCO and Agbaje.
When the matter came up for trial, prosecuting counsel Chief Ajibola Aribisala (SAN) informed the court that GTCO had reconsidered its stance following the bloggers’ pleas and expressed remorse.
He stated that the settlement resulted from discussions involving the Guild of Editors and GTCO, which facilitated an amicable resolution.
Settlement Terms and Public Apology
As part of the settlement, the defendants agreed to make amends by issuing public apologies and undertaking not to use their platforms to publish false, malicious, or misleading information.
The terms required them to publish unreserved apologies in three national newspapers and provide restitution.
“The defendants have promised to take corrective actions and have demonstrated remorse for their actions. This settlement allows them to return to their families after six months in custody,” Aribisala said.
Defense counsel A.O. Afolabi confirmed that both he and the defendants had signed the settlement agreement and did not object to the withdrawal of the charges.
Justice Faji, in his ruling, approved the agreement and instructed all parties to comply with the terms of the settlement. He then officially struck out the charges against the bloggers.
Background of the Case
The police had initially amended the charges against the defendants on September 26, 2024, alleging that they conspired to commit cyberstalking in August 2024.
They were accused of knowingly spreading false and damaging information about GTCO and Agbaje, including claims that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) had stormed GTBank over a supposed N1 trillion fraud.
Other allegations included accusations of nepotism and misuse of power against Agbaje, which were deemed intended to cause harm, intimidation, or anxiety. The police charged them under Section 24(1)(b) and Section 27 of the Cybercrimes Act, as amended in 2024.
With the charges now withdrawn and the settlement reached, the case has come to an official close.
Source: The PUNCH
