GTBank alleges cyber stalking, extortion as police arrest four bloggers

The Police Special Fraud Unit says it arrested four bloggers and arraigned them on two counts before the Federal High Court, Lagos.

A statement on Wednesday by SP Eyitayo Johnson, the Police Public Relations Officer, Police Special Fraud Unit, Ikoyi, Lagos, said the four men were arrested and arraigned on the order of the Commissioner of Police, SFU, Godwin Ayotunde Omodeinde, after the Guaranty Trust Bank Plc (GTBank) reported alleged cyberstalking and attempted extortion against the bloggers.

Read Eyitayo’s full statement:

The Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU), Lagos, under the stewardship of Commissioner of Police Godwin Ayotunde Omodeinde, psc, mnips; has arrested four (4) online journalists/ bloggers and arraigned them on a 2- count charge before the Federal High Court, Lagos.

The journalists, namely Precious Eze ‘m’ (Publisher/Editor-in-Chief, News Platform), Olawale Rotimi ‘m’ (Managing Director, National Monitor), Rowland Olonishuwa ‘m’ (Editor, News Hob Mag!) and Seun Odunlami ‘m’ (Website Administrator, www.newsjaunts.com).

The arrest of the Bloggers follows discrete investigation into a petition addressed to the Commissioner of Police, Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU) by Country Hill Attorneys and Solicitors, representing Guaranty Trust Bank Plc (GTBank).

The investigation established allegations of cyberstalking and attempted extortion against the journalists who, while using their various online platforms; published false, malicious and defamatory news items targeted at GTBank and its Group Executives Officer.

Furthermore, the journalists, having established contact with a staff member of the PR department of the bank, and despite being informed that the story in false; resorted to economic blackmail by demanding for financial compensation before the false publication could be pulled down.

Ayotunde Omodeinde advised journalists and internet/social media users to be professionally matured in the use of their platforms; and to be mindful of the provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition and Prevention, etc) Act 2015 and the Criminal Code Act. He counselled against publications of unsubstantiated/unverified/untrue news which could cause avoidable instability and financial damage to organizations/ businesses and individuals.

At the arraignment, Hon. Justice Ayokunle Faji remanded the defendants in the custody of officials of Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Ikoyi, pending the hearing of their bail applications on 4th October, 2024.

The Unit reiterates its commitment, without prejudice; to enforcement and promotion of the sanctity of the rule of law and order.