Following the notice of pardon from Guaranty Trust
Holding Company (GTCO) and its leadership to the Federal High Court, Lagos, reprieve today came the way of four bloggers who
were charged
for cyber stalking GTCO, the CEO and
its management as the Bank withdrew
the criminal charge filed against them by the police after reaching terms of
settlement with them (the accused).
With the notice of pardon and desire to withdraw
charge announced in court by the prosecution counsel, Chief Ajibola Aribisala,
SAN, the trial court presided by Justice
Ayokunle Faji consequently struck
out the charge.
The
four bloggers, Precious Eze, male (38), Olawale Rotimi male (47), Rowland
Olonishuwa and Seun Odunlami, were charged before the court under the
Cybercrimes Prohibition Prevention Act, by operatives of the Police Special
Fraud Unit (PSFU), Ikoyi-Lagos.
They
were specifically charged before the Federal High Court, Lagos for spreading false information about GTCO Plc and its Group Chief
Executive Officer, Mr. Segun Agbaje.
When
the matter came up today for trial, the prosecuting
counsel, Chief Aribisala, SAN, told the court that
the prosecution and the nominal complainants GTCO have finally succumb to the
defendants' plea to have another look at the matter with other
perspective.
Aribisala,
SAN, said the defendants have surrendered and agreed to ameliorate the wrongs
that led to their prosecution.
He
added that the Guild of Editors have also intervened and pleaded on their
behalf and the bank (GTCO)
are amenable to have the matter amicably
settled under the terms agreed.
The
prosecutor added that each of the defendants have willingly agreed and appended
their signatures on the document containing the terms of settlement.
"The
defendants have promised to restitute and to further take out publications to
right the wrong, there is no gain saying they are remorseful and have agreed
not to use their blogs for publishing wrong, malicious or wrong
information."
Ajibola
,SAN, added that under the terms of settlement, the bloggers have agreed to tender
unreserved apologies in three National
newspapers.
"We
appeal that the court approves the document containing the terms as agreed in the deed of settlement so
that they can go back to their families after spending six months in the
custody of the Nigeria Correction Services."he said.
Counsel
to the defendants A O Afolabi in his submission said he is not objecting to the
withdrawal of the charge, adding that he and the defendants appended their
signatures on the document.
Justice
Faji after listening to parties ruled
that parties shall comply with terms of the
agreement as contained in the deed of settlement.
He
then struck out the charge.
It
would be recalled that the Police by an amended charge
dated September 26, 2024, held among others that the
four defendants, sometimes in August 2024 in Lagos, conspired amongst
themselves to commit felony to wit: CyberStalking and thereby committed an
offence punishable under section 27 of the Cybercrimes (prohibition,
Prevention, etc) Act 2015 as amended in 2024.
The
defendants were also said to have knowingly
sent false massages or publications in the social media, through a computer or
network to the general public as follows "EFCC, FRIS storms GTBanks over
Segun Agbaje's N1 trillion scam" and "Whistle Blowers expose Segun Agbaje
Nepotism, power play , enrich him and sister ,Kofo Dosekunni" among other
publications , for the purpose of insulting the Group Chief Executive Officer
of Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc, Mr Segun Agbaje or for the purpose of
causing criminal intimidation, annoyance, III-will, needless anxiety, injury or
hatred to him and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under
section 24 (1) (b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition/prevention, etc) Act. 2015 ,
as amended in 2024.
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