Primate Elijah Ayodele, leader of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, 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 currently facing trial over alleged cyberstalking and defamation.
Speaking at his annual Thanksgiving Ceremony held at INRI Estate, Oke Afa, Lagos, Primate Ayodele emphasized the need for compassion and justice, urging Agbaje to allow the journalists to reunite with their families.
“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. If there are grievances, they should be resolved amicably, not through prolonged legal battles that infringe on their fundamental rights,” he stated.
The detained journalists—Precious Eze, Olawale Rotimi, Rowland Olonishuwa, and Seun Odunlami—have been held at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre since their arrests in September by the police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU) in Ikoyi. They are 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, prolonging their detention. The case has been adjourned to February 19 and 20, 2025, for the continuation of the trial-within-trial.
Primate Ayodele further cautioned against using legal means to intimidate journalists, stressing that press freedom is a pillar of democracy. He urged GTCO and Agbaje to demonstrate leadership by embracing dialogue over litigation.
“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.
