Journalists’ Detention Sparks Outrage: Global Rights Condemns GTBank’s Role in Suppression of Press Freedom
By Comfort Chukwukelue
A human Right Organization Global Rights has condemned the continued detention of four Nigerian journalists—Olurotimi Olawale, Precious Eze Chukwunonso, Roland Olonishuwa, and Seun Odunlami—by the Nigerian criminal justice system.
The journalists have been held since September 2024 on charges tied to their professional activities, sparking national and international outcry.
In a statement, signed by the Executive Director Abiodun Baiyewu Global Rights accused Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank), one of Nigeria’s commercial banks, of orchestrating the journalists’ detention. The organization criticized GTBank for allegedly weaponizing the criminal justice system to suppress dissent, undermining press freedom, and violating the journalists’ fundamental human rights.
The charges against the journalists reportedly stem from allegations of making “false and misleading claims” and causing reputational harm to the bank. If convicted, the journalists face penalties under Nigeria’s Cybercrimes Act and criminal defamation laws, including up to 14 years in prison. Global Rights described the charges as part of a broader trend of using legal instruments to intimidate and silence critics, a practice it says violates Nigeria’s constitutional guarantees of press freedom and freedom of expression.
Global Rights further called on the Nigerian government, judiciary, and law enforcement agencies to end the “travesty of justice” and protect the rights of journalists. The organization made the following demands:
- Immediate Release of Journalists: An unconditional release of the detained journalists, coupled with compensation for their unlawful detention and reputational harm.
- Judicial Accountability: The Chief Justice of Nigeria must ensure the dismissal of criminal cases that contravene constitutional protections of free expression.
- Repeal of Oppressive Laws: The National Assembly should repeal laws criminalizing defamation, which Global Rights argued should be treated as a civil matter.
- Law Enforcement Reform: Police and other law enforcement agencies must refrain from pursuing cases that serve as tools for personal vendettas or efforts to stifle dissent.
- The statement also highlighted that press freedom and freedom of expression are enshrined in Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution (Sections 22 and 39) and are critical to the country’s democratic identity. Global Rights warned that the misuse of laws like the Cybercrimes Act of 2015 and criminal defamation statutes undermines these democratic values and shrinks the civic space.
- “This shameful saga reveals a dangerous precedent where powerful institutions and individuals can subvert justice to suppress critical voices,” said Abiodun Baiyewu, Executive Director of Global Rights. “Nigeria’s democracy demands an independent press and the protection of fundamental freedoms. This persecution must end.”
- Rising Concern Among Stakeholders
- This development has drawn widespread criticism from civil society organizations, legal experts, and citizens. Observers note that the case of the four journalists reflects a growing trend of suppressing dissent in Nigeria. The Dele Farotimi case and other similar instances were cited as evidence of this alarming pattern.
- Global Rights concluded its statement by urging Nigerians to hold the government accountable and reaffirm the country’s commitment to democratic principles in 2025.
- As the case unfolds, the international community and press freedom advocates will be closely watching Nigeria’s judiciary and legislative actions, testing the nation’s resolve to uphold its democratic ideals.
