By Dare Akogun
The Spiritual Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has called on Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) and its Group Chief Executive Officer, Segun Agbaje, to withdraw the ongoing legal case against four journalists charged with cyberstalking and defamation.
Primate Ayodele made the appeal during his annual Thanksgiving ceremony held at INRI Estate, Oke Afa, Lagos, emphasizing the need for justice and compassion.
He urged the GTCO boss to allow the journalists to reunite with their families, describing their prolonged detention as an act of hardship.
“I use my position as a man of God to appeal to Segun Agbaje and GTCO to withdraw this case against the journalists and stop subjecting them to unnecessary hardship. Justice should not be weaponized to silence the press,” he said.
The journalists, Precious Eze, Olawale Rotimi, Rowland Olonishuwa, and Seun Odunlami, have been in detention at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre since their arrests by the police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU) in September 2024.
They were accused of conspiracy, cyberstalking, and publishing false allegations against GTCO and its CEO.
Despite pleas from their legal counsel, Justice Ayokunle Faji of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi denied their bail application, extending their detention. The court has adjourned the case to February 19 and 20, 2025, for the continuation of the trial-within-trial.
Primate Ayodele further warned against using legal processes to intimidate journalists, stressing that press freedom is fundamental to democracy.
“Journalists play a crucial role in society. They must not be treated as criminals for doing their jobs. I urge those involved to embrace reconciliation and fairness rather than legal persecution,” he added.
He advised GTCO and its CEO to prioritize dialogue over litigation, noting that it would foster peace and promote the ideals of justice and press freedom.
