The Nigeria Police brought fresh charges against four bloggers, Precious Eze, Olawale Rotimi, Rowland Olonishuwa, and Seun Odunlami, at the Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday. The charges include cyberstalking and publishing false allegations against the Guaranty Trust Holding Company through various social media platforms.
The Police accused the defendants of ten counts, including conspiracy, cyberstalking, false and misleading publication, extortion, threat, and causing a loss of shares and market value.
Initially, the defendants were charged with two counts of cyberstalking and false publications against the Chief Executive Officer of Guaranty Trust Holding Company PLC, Segun Agbaje. After pleading not guilty, they were remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre.
During the recent court session, the police prosecutor, Ajibola Aribisala (SAN), announced that the charges against the defendants had been amended to ten counts. Justice Ayokunle Faji struck out the initial charges and allowed the fresh charges to be read to the defendants.
The prosecutor also highlighted that the defendants attempted to affect the market value of the company’s shares by spreading false allegations. The offences are said to contravene specific sections of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015 (amended) is punishable under the Criminal Code Act.
The defendants pleaded not guilty, and Justice Faji ordered that they be remanded at the correctional centre pending the filing and hearing their bail applications. The case was adjourned till October 24, 2024, for the defence to file the bail application and serve the prosecution.