Global Rights Condemns GTBank’s Persecution of Journalists, Calls for Release of Four Incarcerated Journalists

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Global Rights, a human rights organization, has condemned the persecution of four Nigerian journalists, Olurotimi Olawale, Precious Eze Chukwunonso, Roland Olonishuwa, and Seun Odunlami, who have been detained since September 2024 for allegedly practicing journalism.

The organization has accused Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) of exploiting its power and connections to weaponize the criminal justice system against the journalists.

“It seems the bank which is listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange has forgotten that it owes a fiduciary duty to its shareholders to respect human rights and engender public goodwill,” said Abiodun Baiyewu, Executive Director of Global Rights.

“Rather, this institution has exploited its power and connections to weaponize the criminal justice system against these members of the Fourth Estate, marking a disturbing escalation in the suppression of press freedom in Nigeria.”

The charges against the journalists range from making “false and misleading allegations” to allegedly causing “harm” to GTBank’s reputation.

Global Rights has described these charges as an authoritarian misuse of the Cybercrimes Act and Nigeria’s criminal code. If convicted, the journalists face up to 14 years in prison.

“This case highlights an alarming trend of the misuse of legal instruments by powerful individuals and institutions to attack journalists and civic actors who expose unflattering truths,” Baiyewu noted.

“As demonstrated in both the Dele Farotimi case and the plight of these journalists, this unethical practice, which underlies a blatant disregard for the rule of law, underscores an undemocratic message: dissent will not be tolerated and the powerful are at liberty to weaponize instruments of the state, especially enforcement to subvert justice and crush citizens who dare paint unflattering portraits of them.”

Global Rights then called for the immediate release of the journalists, the dropping of all charges, and compensation for their unlawful detention and reputational harm.

The organization has also demanded judicial accountability, the repeal of oppressive laws, and law enforcement reform.

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