The Guild Of Digital Journalist has announced a nationwide boycott against Guarantee Trust Bank,GTB as a result of the ongoing trial of four journalists in Lagos.
During a press conference, Opeyemi Daniel Adeoti, the chairman of GDJ, highlighted the plight of Rowland Olonishuwa, Precious Eze, Olawale Rotimi, and Seun Odunlami, who are facing charges of libel and cybercrime in a Lagos High Court.
“Our colleagues are currently detained at a correctional facility in Ikoyi, Lagos, following a petition by the Chief Executive Officer of Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO), Segun Agbaje, regarding alleged libel against Guaranty Trust Bank,”Adeoti expressed.
While we understand that journalists are not above the law, we firmly believe that no one should be treated as if they are exempt from the law, as our colleagues have been,”he added.
These four journalists have been in custody for the past two months, with their case adjourned until December 11th and 12th.
Mr. Adeoti criticized the delay tactics in the legal proceedings, with the trial adjourned until December 10 and 12. He also expressed disappointment with the National Secretariat of the NUJ for its muted response, urging it to amplify calls for the release of the journalists.
The group has initiated a significant boycott campaign against the bank.
“We are taking steps to escalate a nationwide boycott of GTB as a financial institution.
The Guild has called on stakeholders, including the National Assembly, the Nigerian Guild of Editors, human rights organizations, and the global media community, to unite in condemning the unjust treatment of the journalists and to advocate for a review or repeal of the Cybercrime Act’s draconian provisions.
Mr. Adeoti also extended gratitude to the Nigerian Guild of Investigative Journalists (NGIJ) and senior legal practitioners—Asiwaju Kunle Kalejaiye, SAN; Mr. Olalekan Ojo, SAN; Mr. Kunle Adegoke, SAN; Barrister Kunle Afolabi, and Barrister Adebisi Adeniyi—for their support in seeking justice for the detained journalists.
