- Investigations revealed that the journalists allegedly published false and defamatory content targeting GTB
Four journalists have been arraigned before the Federal High Court in Lagos, accused of cyberstalking and attempted extortion of Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank).
The Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU) disclosed the charges in a statement on Wednesday, following investigations led by Commissioner of Police Godwin Ayotunde Omodeinde.
The accused include Precious Eze, Publisher of News Platform; Olawale Rotimi, Managing Director of National Monitor; Rowland Olonishuwa, Editor of News Hob Mag!; and Seun Odunlami, Website Administrator for News Jaunts.
According to police spokesperson SP Eyitayo Johnson, the case stemmed from a petition filed by Country Hill Attorneys on behalf of GTBank. Investigations revealed that the journalists allegedly published false and defamatory content targeting the bank and its CEO and later demanded financial compensation to retract the stories.
CP Omodeinde urged journalists to uphold professional ethics and avoid spreading unverified information, warning of strict enforcement of the Cybercrimes Act and the Criminal Code Act.
Presiding over the case, Justice Ayokunle Faji ordered the journalists to be remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre, pending their bail hearing.
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