GDJ calls for national boycott of GTB over detained journalists

The Guild of Digital Journalists (GDJ) has called for a national boycott of Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) in response to the detention of four Nigerian journalists.

The Chairman of GDJ, Mr. Opeyemi Daniel Adeoti made this declaration at a press conference held in Ilorin, Kwara State capital.

The journalists, Rowland Olonishuwa, Olurotimi Olawale, Precious Eze Chukwunonso, and Seun Odunlami, were arrested and detained in September 2024 over allegations of cyberstalking and false publications concerning GTB’s CEO, Segun Agbaje

In his speech, Opeyemi Adeoti said the GDJ’s boycott is a show of solidarity with the detained journalists and a condemnation of GTB’s actions, which are seen as an attack on press freedom.

He calls on Nigerians to stand in solidarity with the detained journalists and to demand greater protection for press freedom.

Full statement below

Good day, colleagues and members of the media community in Kwara State. We have gathered here to inform you about the challenges faced by Rowland Olonishuwa, Precious Eze, Olawale Rotimi and Seun Odunlami, our companions, who are currently in custody at a correctional facility in Ikoyi, Lagos due to a petition by the Chief Executive Officer of Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) Segun Agbaje over alleged libelous publication against Guaranty Trust Bank.

While we acknowledge that being a journalist does not exempt one from the law, we strongly believe that nobody should be treated as if they are below the law, as our colleagues have been.

The Guild of Digital Journalists is a union of professional journalists who have transitioned from working as primary reporters in established news organizations to establishing and managing their own media platforms, incorporating their expertise into online and social media publishing.

Our membership encompasses bloggers, social media influencers, and microblogging enthusiasts. We have a total of 2,700 members in Kwara State and other regions of the country.

As an organization, we are aware that the entire ordeal faced by these journalists is at the behest of GTB’s management. In light of this, we commend the recent directive from the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ, Ogun State Council, urging its members to terminate their accounts with GTB.

In our capacity, we are initiating steps to escalate this directive into a nationwide boycott of GTB as a financial institution. By the close of business today, we intend to communicate with all our members to encourage them to follow this course of action as a means of protesting against the treatment of these journalists.

As part of the guidance provided to our members, we have compiled a list of alternative banks along with the names and contact details of account officers at these banks to facilitate a smooth transition away from GTB.

Members of the press, you may have learned that the trial court overseeing the case of our colleagues in Lagos adjourned proceedings, once again, to the 10th and 12th of December.

This leaves no doubt as to GTB’s true intentions in instigating the arrest of our colleagues, exploiting a vaguely defined clause in the cybercrime amendment act. We firmly condemn the ongoing trials of these four journalists.

Let it be known once more, unequivocally, that journalism is not a criminal offense.

Furthermore, the Guild of Digital Journalists expresses deep disappointment at the lackluster response from the national Secretariat of the NUJ in Abuja.

While we acknowledge the ongoing leadership transition within the NUJ hierarchy, the Secretariat should have displayed more empathy or at least aligned its voice with the calls for the release of these journalists.

As journalists in practice, we urge stakeholders such as the National Assembly, the Nigerian Guild of Editors, and human rights activists and NGOs to unite in raising global awareness about the plight of our colleagues in Lagos.

Specifically, we call on the National Assembly to review the recently amended Cybercrime Act with the aim of rectifying its draconian provisions, which criminalize journalists for expressing their fundamental right of freedom of expression or potentially repealing it.

Throughout these past two months of adversity, we have encountered allies and comrades who have taken up the cause. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Nigerian Guild of Investigative Journalists (NGIJ) and the legal team who have worked tirelessly to secure the release of the journalists.

Special appreciation goes to Asiwaju Kunle Kalejaiye, SAN, Mr. Olalekan Ojo, SAN, Mr. Kunle Adegoke, SAN, Barrister Kunle Afolabi, and Barrister Adebisi Adeniyi for their unwavering support in the face of daunting tasks.

We equally call on Nigerian media to rally round our colleagues by giving adequate reportage of the court proceedings.