The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has called on Nigerian government to release four journalists detained over reports exposing alleged fraud by Segun Agbaje, the CEO of Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank). The journalists—Olurotimi Olawale, Precious Eze Chukwunonso, Rowland Olonishuwa, and Seun Odunlami—were arrested in September 2023 after publishing articles accusing Agbaje of involvement in a 1 trillion naira (around $600 million) fraud. They have been charged under Nigeria’s Cybercrimes Act, specifically for allegedly publishing false information that could cause disorder. Despite the arrests, Nigeria’s House of Representatives has initiated an investigation into the bank based on the same allegations reported by the journalists.
The CPJ has criticized these arrests, stating that the Cybercrimes Act is being misused to target journalists and suppress investigative reporting. The organization is urging the authorities to drop the charges and protect press freedom in the country.
