As the trial of four bloggers charged with alleged defamation and Cyberstalking Guaranty Trust Holding Company as well as its Management resumed today, the Investigating Police Officer, IPO, Mr Yaqob Sule informed the court that the first defendant in the case, Mr Precious Eze is a serial blackmailer.

The IPO, the first prosecution witness In the matter, made this known while testifying before Justice Ayokunle Faji of the Federal High Court, Lagos today.

Led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, Chief Ajibola Aribisala, SAN, Sule told Justice Ayokunle Faji that during the investigation, it was discovered that the first defendant, Precious Eze had been arraigned before an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrate Court, Lagos early this year and was only admitted to bail on the 31 of May only for him to commit another similar offense.

These facts were made known at the resumption of the trial today after the four bloggers Precious Eze, Olawale Rotimi, Rowland Olonishuwa, and Seun Odunlami were re-arraigned on a fresh 10 counts amended charges for alleged cyberstalking and publishing false allegations through various social media outlets against GTCO, its management and Group CEO. Mr Segun Agbaje.

While being led in evidence by the prosecutor, Yaqob Sule told the court that on the 19th of September 2024 the Commissioner of Police, SFU, Ikoyi minuted a petition from GTCO legal consultant to his team and was directed to take charge of the petition as the Investigation Police Officer.

Sule said the kernel of the petition was libelous publications, breach of peace, and an attempt to extort all linked to publications.

He added that as an IPO he tried to open the links and saw the publications against GTCO, GTbank, the CEO, Management, and the Central Bank of Nigeria among others.

He added that after the arrest of the four defendants, their statements were taken. They own up to being behind the publications but confessed that they did not confirm the story’s authenticity before posting it on their blogs.

Sule added that the defendants also denied asking for money before they could pull down the story.

While investigating we discovered that the 4th defendant had registered two platforms, Newsjaunts.com and Thevision.com, and that it was through the Thevision.com platform that the 4th defendant used to negotiate for funds with the GTCO legal consultant before he would pull the story down.

The witness said that during the investigation, they profiled the defendants and took their fingerprints for forensic analysis and found out that the first defendant had earlier been arraigned for a similar offense at Ebute-Meta Chief Magistrate Court, Lagos early in May this year and was granted bail on 31st of May this year before committing this offense again.

The defendants counsel however refused the prosecution’s attempt to tender the

statements of the defendants made to the police on the ground that the statements were not voluntarily made.

Consequent upon the objection, the trial judge ordered trial within the trial of the case and adjourned the matter till tomorrow.

It will be recalled that the Body of Bank CEOs recently issued a statement expressing concern over the persistent and unwarranted attacks on social media directed at Nigerian banks. It noted that The Nigerian banking industry is the most regulated sector in the country. Banks are subject to stringent regulations as financial services companies by the primary regulator, the country’s apex bank, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and several other direct and indirect regulators. A large number of banks are publicly quoted and subject themselves to global scrutiny by domestic and international regulators and

investors.

The banking sector plays a pivotal role in the economic development of Nigeria, contributing significantly to both individual and growth of businesses of all sizes and the society at large.

Without gainsaying, the development of the economy rests significantly on the banking sector and its intermediation roles. If any individual or group has grievances or concerns regarding the operations of any bank, we strongly encourage that such complaints be directed to the appropriate regulatory authorities.

It went further to say that resorting to social media attacks, blackmail, or smear campaigns against banks and the banking sector not only undermines the hard-earned reputation of these institutions but also seeks to unfairly manipulate the targeted banks.

“We strongly urge individuals engaging in such activities to desist and consider the facts before making accusations. Regulatory agencies are well-equipped to handle such concerns with impartiality, diligence, and professionalism, ensuring that all issues are addressed through the proper channels.

We remain committed to delivering the highest standard of banking services, and we will continue to operate with the utmost professionalism, guided by the rules and regulations that govern our industry.

Together, let us encourage an environment of trust and collaboration rather than division; citizens should desist from criminalizing a highly professional sector that has brought glory to Nigeria and Africa, as the banking sector works hard individually and collectively to build a stronger and more resilient Nigerian economy that works for everyone”

The Senate has approved 15 percent of the Consolidated Revenue Fund as a source of funding for the newly created zonal development commissions by member-states.

The approval followed the consideration and adoption of the report of the Senate Committee on Special Duties on the bills establishing the commissions.

The lawmakers were earlier divided over the source of funding for the newly created zonal development commissions. The disagreement emerged during the clause-by-clause consideration of the South-South Development Commission Establishment Bill 2024, which serves as the structural template for other zonal commissions.

Central to the debate was the Senate Committee on Special Duties’ recommendation that 15 per cent of statutory allocations from member states be directed towards funding these commissions.

Several lawmakers, including Yahaya Abdullahi (PDP, Kebbi North), Wasiu Eshinlokun (APC, Lagos East), and Seriake Dickson (PDP, Bayelsa West), voiced concerns over the proposed funding model.

Abdullahi warned that the provision could lead to legal challenges from state governments, as no state would willingly allow its statutory allocation to be reduced.

“Mr. President, distinguished colleagues, the 15 percent of statutory allocations of member states recommended for funding their zonal development commissions would be litigated against by some state governments,” Abdullahi said.

Seeking to clarify the matter, the Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin, quickly intervened.

He explained that the 15 per cent allocation would not involve a direct deduction from the states’ funds.

He said, “Mr President, distinguished colleagues, the 15 percent of statutory allocation of member states, recommended for funding of zonal development commissions by the Federal Government, is not about deduction at all.

“What is recommended as contained in the report presented to us by the committee on special duties and being considered by the Senate now is that 15 percent of statutory allocation of member states in a zonal development commission would, by way of calculation by the Federal Government, be used to fund the commission from the Consolidated Revenue Fund.

“Each state has a monthly statutory allocation, 15 percent of which, as contained in this report being considered, will be calculated by the Federal Government and removed from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for funding of their development commission.”

Despite Barau’s explanation, several senators remained unconvinced and expressed their desire to contribute to the debate.

However, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, stepped in, asserting that the provision was constitutionally sound.

“We don’t need to debate whether 15 percent of statutory allocations from member states in a commission would be deducted,” Akpabio said, citing Section 162(4) of the 1999 Constitution, which grants the National Assembly the authority to appropriate funds from either the Consolidated Revenue Fund or the Federation Account.

“Fifteen percent of the statutory allocation has been recommended by the Senate and, by extension, the National Assembly, for funding these zonal development commissions. Anyone who wishes to challenge that in court is free to do so,” he added.

Akpabio then called for a voice vote, and the majority voted in favour of the provision.

In his remarks following the passage of the consolidated bills, Akpabio expressed gratitude to the senators for their efforts in finalising the zonal development commissions.

He noted that these commissions would provide a foundation for the newly created Ministry of Regional Development.

The bills passed include the South-South Development Commission Establishment Bill 2024, the North West Development Commission Act (Amendment) Bill 2024, and the South-East Development Commission Act (Amendment) Bill 2024.

The South West Development Commission Establishment Bill 2024 and North Central Development Commission Establishment Bill 2024 were previously passed.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres recently met with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, where he expressed concerns about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Guterres emphasized that this act breaches the United Nations Charter and international law.

During his speech at the summit, Guterres called for a “just peace” in Ukraine, highlighting the need for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

He “reiterated his position that the Russian invasion of Ukraine violated the United Nations Charter and international law,” stated a readout from the UN chief’s spokesperson after their meeting, which had faced criticism from Kyiv.

Guterres also stressed his commitment to “establishing freedom of navigation in the Black Sea,” describing this as essential for both Ukraine and Russia, as well as for global “food and energy security.”

“He fully supports the continuation of negotiations in this regard,” the statement noted, expressing “deep appreciation” for Turkey’s mediation efforts.

The Black Sea is a critical trade route for Ukraine, one of the world’s largest grain exporters, yet it has faced severe disruptions since the Russian invasion began in February 2022.

A UN-brokered deal previously enabled Ukraine to continue agricultural exports via the Black Sea, but Moscow withdrew from the agreement in 2023. Despite this, Kyiv has managed to create a maritime corridor allowing trade to continue.

Guterres and Putin, who last met in April 2022, also discussed the conflict in the Middle East, “particularly the urgent need for a ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon, as well as the importance of avoiding further regional escalation,” according to the readout.

Credit: AFP