The Nigerian Guild of Investigative Journalists (NGIJ), an umbrella body for investigative journalists, on Thursday, expressed dismay at what it described as a “desperate media war” waged by the Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU) against four arrested journalists over alleged cyberstalking.
NewsNGR recalls that the four journalists identified as Precious Eze (Publisher/Editor-in-Chief, News Platform); Olawale Rotimi (Managing Director, National Monitor); Rowland Olonishuwa (Editor, News Hob Mag!) and Seun Odunlami (Website Administrator, www.newsjaunts.com), were arrested by the PSFU over alleged cyberstalking and attempted extortion of Guaranty Trust Bank in Lagos.
They were arraigned on September 30, 2024, before Hon. Justice Ayokunle Faji of the Federal High Court, Lagos, with the trial set to begin on October 4, 2024.
However, NGIJ in a statement issued in Abuja by its President Malam Abdulrahman Aliagan and Vice President, Comrade Oyewale Oyelola, criticized the tone of the PSFU’s press release, which they claimed prematurely pronounced the defendants guilty.
They argued that the PSFU should refrain from making public statements that could influence the court’s proceedings.
“NGIJ views with dismay the desperate media war the PSFU seems to be waging against four journalists arrested by the unit on the orders of Guaranty Trust Bank Plc (GTBank).
“The Guild is shocked at the tone of the press release signed by SP Eyitayo Johnson and made available to the media on Wednesday, October 2nd, 2024, when the Journalists were arraigned in court and remanded at Ikoyi Prison until 4th of October, 2024.
“The tone of the press release is not only assertive and judgmental but smacks of a desperate attempt to give a dog a bad name to hang it. One would think that a reputable unit like the PSFU would be professional enough to allow the Court to determine this case based on its merits (if any).
“This is because to the best of our knowledge, whether or not the arrested journalists demanded financial compensation before pulling down the stories is a matter to be determined by the court.
“In setting the record straight: First and foremost, it is crucial to highlight that the four journalists in question were arraigned in court on Friday, 30th of September, 2024, before Hon. Justice Ayokunle Faji and are scheduled for trial from the 4th of October, 2024.
“This demonstrates that due legal process is already ongoing and the matter is being handled in a transparent and accountable manner by a court of law.
“Therefore, for PSFU to start issuing a press release and sending pictures of the Journalists to the media on the 2nd of October, even when their arraignment was widely reported by major newspapers on the 30th and 31st of October, has left a big question mark as to what the special interests of the Police in the matter are’’, the group said.
The Guild also highlighted the involvement of the House of Representatives, which has received a petition related to the case and is investigating allegations against GTB.
This follows the bank’s confirmation in September that it had failed to remit Value Added Tax (VAT) to the federal government for eight years.
The NGIJ maintained that the revelations lend credibility to the journalists’ reporting and underscore the need for a thorough investigation into GTB’s practices.
NGIJ, however, raised concerns over the journalists’ detention, which reportedly lasted up to a week before they were formally charged.
The group criticized the “Gestapo-style” arrests, questioning the legality and professionalism of the PSFU’s actions.
NGIJ condemned the police’s handling of the case, asserting that it threatens the rights of journalists and the principles of democracy.
The Guild, however, called on various stakeholders, including the Inspector General of Police, human rights organizations, and the international community, to denounce the PSFU’s conduct and advocate for the journalists’ rights.