Popular Nigerian blogger, Precious Eze and three others namely; Olawale Rotimi, Rowland Olonishuwa, and Seun Odunlami have been denied bail in their ongoing court battle with GTCO and their CEO.
An accelerated trial has been ordered for the four bloggers accused of cyberstalking and defaming GTCO’s (Guaranty Trust Holding Company) management, including Mr. Segun Agbaje, the company’s Group CEO, by Justice Ayokunle Faji of the Federal High Court in Lagos.
They are are facing 10 amended charges for allegedly publishing false information about the company through various social media platforms.
Citing the seriousness of the alleged offenses, which include accusations that carry a maximum 14-year jail sentence, Justice Faji also denied the bail requests during the matter’s resumed hearing on November 13 and 14.
Because Precious Eze is currently facing charges for a similar offense in another court and was only out on bail when he committed the alleged offense for which he is currently on trial, the judge further held that one of the defendants, Precious Eze, has demonstrated a tendency to commit the same offense again if released.
The defense counsel, Afolabi Adeniyi, had at the last hearing of the matter while moving an application for bail for the accused persons argued that the defendants should be granted bail on liberal terms, emphasizing that the charges were bailable and that the accused were willing to face trial.
Opposing the application, the prosecution Counsel, Chief Aribisala, SAN, urged the court to reject the bail request, highlighting the risk of the defendants absconding and stressing the need for an expedited trial.
In delivering his ruling, Justice Faji not only denied bail but also ordered an accelerated trial, underlining the gravity of the charges.
He also noted that the defendants’ actions challenged the authority of regulatory bodies, including the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), which had approved GTCO’s audited statements.
The matter has been adjourned until the 10th and 12th of December for continuation of the trial.
