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GTBank Alleged Cyberstalking: 3 SANs Storm Court, Justice Faji Denies Journalists Bail

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Three Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN) have joined the defense team for four journalists accused of cyberstalking and defamation against GTCO, the parent company of Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank), and its Group Chief Executive Officer, Segun Agbaje. adsbygoogle || []).push({});

The distinguished advocates, Asiwaju Kunle Kalejaye, SAN, Olalekan Ojo, SAN, and Kunle Adegoke, SAN, were present at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi on Wednesday, accompanied by other legal representatives, including Barristers Olakunle Afolabi and Adebisi Adeniyi, as the trial progresses.

In a ruling on Wednesday, Justice Ayokunle Faji of the Federal High Court denied the bail application for the four defendants in case number FHC/L/774C/2024. Justice Faji’s decision was based on affidavits filed by both the defense counsel and counter affidavits from the prosecution team.

The four journalists have been held at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre since September following their arrests by the police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU) in Ikoyi.

Defense counsel Afolabi argued for bail on liberal terms pending arraignment, asserting that the alleged offenses are bailable.

The police have accused the journalists—Precious Eze, Olawale Rotimi, Rowland Olonishuwa, and Seun Odunlami—of conspiracy, cyberstalking, and publishing false allegations against GTCO and Agbaje through their media platforms.

During cross-examination by Olalekan Ojo, SAN, in the ongoing trial-within-trial, police witness Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Abu Michael admitted that the video evidence presented does not capture any instance where the defendants waived their rights to legal representation before providing statements.

The defendants maintain they were coerced into giving statements despite informing the police that their lawyers were en route.

Justice Faji has requested evidence in the trial-within-trial to substantiate the police’s claim that the defendants voluntarily provided their statements. CSP Abu also indicated that the video recordings submitted as evidence were for the first and second defendants, while those for the third and fourth defendants were lost due to technical issues.

Abu noted that although the Investigating Police Officer (IPO), ASP Yaqob Sule, conducted the questioning, he monitored the proceedings from a separate room.

On Thursday, the prosecution team, led by Aribisala SAN, called ASP Yaqob Sule as the final witness in the trial-within-trial. Sule testified that the defendants voluntarily wrote their statements while in police custody.

Justice Faji adjourned the case to December 10 and 12, 2024, to allow the new defense counsels to confer with the defendants.

It should be noted that the House of Representatives recently launched an investigation into allegations of corruption, falsification of financial reports, and money laundering against Mr. Segun Agbaje, the Group Chief Executive Officer of Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO), and the bank itself.

The investigation followed a petition submitted by Alhaji Yusuf Kabiru, President of the Arewa Consultative Youth Movement, and presented by Hon. Nnamdi Ezechi from Delta State to the lawmakers.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee reportedly directed Guaranty Trust Holding Company to calculate and remit the Value Added Tax on commissions received from Remita transactions between 2015 and 2022 to the Federal Government.

The committee, chaired by Bamidele Salam, who represents Ede South/Ede North/Ejigbo/Egbedore Federal Constituency in Osun State, issued the directive during an ongoing investigation into alleged revenue leakages through the Remita platform. GTCO’s Executive Director, Mr. Ahmed Liman admitted that the bank had not remitted the VAT for eight years.

Additionally, the Global Integrity Crusade Network (GICN), a non-governmental organization, stormed the National Assembly on October 3, seeking a legislative probe into alleged “corruption, fraud, and financial irregularities” in the bank.

In a statement signed by Amb. Comr. Adebayo Lion Ogorry, Director of Publicity and Mobilization, the group claimed that a private investigator’s report revealed that under the leadership of Segun Julius Agbaje, GTCO had engaged in unsolicited account openings, declaration of fictitious profits, round-tripping, money laundering, terrorism financing, and the use of customers’ and investors’ funds to pay penalties in the United Kingdom.

The journalists currently undergoing trial had brought these issues to public attention in their publications.

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Unidentified, Mutilated Corpse of Man Found Behind Pankshin Market in Plateau

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On Tuesday, October 6, 2026 morning, the corpse of an unidentified man was found behind the Monday Market in Pankshin Local Government Area of Plateau State with his private part and other vital organs allegedly removed. adsbygoogle || []).push({});

According to a community source, the corpse was discovered by members of the community in the morning, upon which security operatives were alerted, and they reportedly arrived at the scene to evacuate the body.

The disturbing discovery attracted concerned residents to the General Hospital, Pankshin, where efforts were made to identify the deceased.

The Punch reports that a local resident, Panshak Rogo, who spoke at the hospital, said the identity of the deceased was yet to be established.

“Presently, we are at the General Hospital. We are here because there is an unidentified individual who was killed around Monday Market.

“The corpse is yet to be identified because some sensitive organs have been removed from the body. His ears and nose were cut off, while his private part has also been tampered with.”

Rogo urged members of the public who had relatives or friends reported missing to contact the police for possible identification of the corpse.

“Please, if you have any report of a missing person, go to the nearest police station. To be precise, Pankshin Police Station is important,” he said.

He appealed to anyone with useful information about the deceased or the circumstances surrounding his death to report to the police.

Efforts to reach the Plateau State Police Command for confirmation and further details were unsuccessful as of press time.

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NAF Confirms 25 Dead In ATR-42 Crash, Releases Names Of Casualties

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NAF Confirms 25 Dead In ATR-42 Crash
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The Nigerian Air Force on Tuesday, October 6th, 2026 confirmed that 25 persons died in the crash of its ATR-42 aircraft, NAF 931, in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State, and has released the list of casualties. adsbygoogle || []).push({});

The release corrects the earlier speculated crew members and passengers said to be 32, as victims of the crash.

The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, in a statement on Saturday, described the incident as a deeply painful moment for the Air Force and the nation, and expressed profound condolences to the families of the personnel and passengers.

The aircraft had 25 persons on board, comprising five crew members and 20 passengers, and was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the accident occurred.

According to the NAF, search-and-rescue procedures were immediately activated in coordination with relevant authorities, but no survivors were found.

The Air Force assured bereaved families of its full support during this difficult period.

The casualties are:

Crew

  1. Squadron Leader MI Aburime — Flight Captain
  2. Squadron Leader AP Man-Ugwueje — Co-pilot
  3. Flight Lieutenant IS Bako — Co-pilot
  4. Warrant Officer Abubakar A — Aircraft Technician
  5. Corporal Uguru HC — Aircraft Technician

Passengers
6. Flight Lieutenant TL Lazarus
7. Flight Lieutenant M Akinloye
8. Flying Officer IM Adeshina
9. Master Warrant Officer Onwuka F
10. Master Warrant Officer Matini BA
11. Warrant Officer Nuhu FS
12. Flight Sergeant James RB
13. Flight Sergeant Mohammed AI
14. Sergeant Ani AE
15. Sergeant Izibenikien SI
16. Sergeant Alafuka C
17. Sergeant Mbadugha AN
18. Lance Corporal Ugwuba FC
19. Lance Corporal Eledan GE
20. Mrs Ezeh Nneka
21. Godstmine Tarabina
22. Joy Micheal
23. Sunday Micheal
24. Ukeme David
25. Gideon Omotola

Air Marshal Aneke has directed a comprehensive investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the accident.

The statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, on Tuesday, said the NAF will continue to provide timely and verified updates, and urged the public to refrain from speculation and circulation of unverified information while respecting the privacy and dignity of the affected families.

A condolence register has been opened at the Headquarters of the Nigerian Air Force, Abuja, for senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, heads of security agencies and other well-wishers.

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World Public Relations Forum: Kogi NIPR Chapter Embarks on Road Show for Sensitization

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From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja

Ahead of the World Public Relations Forum( WPRF) scheduled for Abuja from November 15-21, 2026, members of Kogi State Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations ( NIPR) on Saturday, organised a road show and public advocacy in Lokoja as part of preparations for the event

The Abuja Forum is an international event meant to be attended by Public Relations Practitioners from all over the world.

The Chairman of the Kogi State Chapter of the NIPR, ISmaila Isah who was represented by his Vice Chairman, Tado Asuloto, told journalists that the road show was meant to sensitize the public about the forthcoming forum.

He also explained that the road show was meant to draw members of the public closer to the Institute.

His words” We embarked on the road show to sensitize our members and the public on the forthcoming WPRF.

” The NIPR also engaged in the public advocacy with a view to drawing the institute closer to the public and enlighten the public more about our activities. The WPRF is coming up in Abuja later in the year and the event will be attended Public Relations Practitioners from the world over.”

The road show saw NIPR members in Kogi State including those from the Nigerian Union of Journalists( NUJ), the State Police Command, Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, Kogi State University, Kabba, Federal University, Lokoja, the Federal Roads Safety Commission( FRSC) , the Red Cross and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps NSCDC , among others, walking from the Ganaja Junction road through the Cenotaph to the Government House where they distributed leaflets on the Abuja event and also engaged the public in discussions.

The participants were also shown the first office of Lord Lugard located within the Government House premises and other historical structures in Lokoja.

The Director of Protocol in the Government House, Sulaiman Ibrahim welcomed the NIPR members on behalf of Governor Ahmed Ododo, assuring them of the Governor’s readiness to assist them always.

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