GTBank Under Fire: Chidi Odinkalu Exposes How Corporate Power Is Weaponized Against Journalists

GTBank Under Fire: Chidi Odinkalu Exposes How Corporate Power Is Weaponized Against Journalists

As the 2019 presidential election approached, it became evident that many parts of Nigeria’s judicial system had been manipulated to silence government critics. A key example was the case of Steven Kefas, a vocal activist in Southern,…GTBank Under Fire: Chidi Odinkalu Exposes How Corporate Power Is Weaponized Against Journalists

Kaduna, who became a target for his outspoken opposition to Governor Nasir el-Rufai’s policies. Kefas was abducted in May 2019, detained in Kaduna, and unjustly charged with defaming a close ally of el-Rufai, Cafra Caino, for a crime he did not commit. Despite being charged with a misdemeanor, Kefas was denied bail by a magistrate, and his subsequent application for bail in the Federal High Court was bizarrely dismissed by Justice Peter Mallong.

This misuse of judicial power to harass citizens was part of a broader trend, with activists and journalists routinely persecuted under the guise of law. One such case involved myself, when I was falsely accused of incitement by Governor el-Rufai in the wake of his controversial statements on a supposed massacre of Fulanis in Kajuru. My case was mishandled by the courts, culminating in a judgment that dismissed my constitutional rights case despite the court admitting it had no jurisdiction over it.

These troubling trends are now visible in the ongoing case involving four bloggers, Precious Eze, Olawale Olurotimi, Rowland Olonishuwa, and Seun Odunlami, who face prosecution for cyberbullying and extortion. The accusations stemmed from blog posts critical of Guarantee Trust Bank (GTBank), leading to their arrest and prolonged pre-trial detention. Despite the suspects retracting the content upon intervention, GTBank continued with its legal action, leveraging its resources to press charges and securing a team of high-powered lawyers to prosecute the case.

This is a stark example of corporate power being used to suppress free speech and intimidate critics. These actions are reminiscent of the tactics used by politicians like el-Rufai to manipulate the legal system for personal gain. However, this case highlights that Nigerians, both as citizens and customers, now have the power to challenge such abuses. GTBank must realize the potential backlash it faces for using the judicial process to silence legitimate civic voices.

As citizens, we must hold both government officials and corporations accountable for undermining the rule of law and repressing free expression. The case against the bloggers is not just a legal issue, but a moral one, and it is crucial for Nigerians to demand justice and ensure that such abuse of power is met with consequences.

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