Operatives of Police Special Fraud Unit, Ikoyi , Lagos has 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 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 full statement below:
CRIME: THE POLICE SPECIAL FRAUD UNIT (PSFU)
ARREST, ARRAIGN JOURNALISTS INVOLVED IN CYBER
STALKING, ATTEMPTED EXTORTION OF GTBANK.
The Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU), Lagos, under the stewardship of Commissioner of Police Godwin Ayotunde Omodeinde, 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.
CP. 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.
