The Guild of Digital Journalists, GDJ, pledged on Friday in Ilorin to mobilize its 2,700 members across the state and beyond to boycott Guarantee Trust Bank, GTB, due to the ongoing trial of four journalists in Lagos.

The media group stated that it is taking this action in solidarity with the Ogun State Council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ, following its directive to its members to do the same.

During a press conference, Opeyemi Daniel Adeoti, the chairman of GDJ, highlighted the plight of Rowland Olonishuwa, Precious Eze, Olawale Rotimi, and Seun Odunlami, who are facing charges of libel and cybercrime in a Lagos High Court.

“Our colleagues are currently detained at a correctional facility in Ikoyi, Lagos, following a petition by the Chief Executive Officer of Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO), Segun Agbaje, regarding alleged libel against Guaranty Trust Bank,”Adeoti expressed.

These four journalists have been in custody for the past two months, with their case adjourned until December 11th and 12th.

“The intentions of GTB in instigating the arrest of our colleagues are clear, exploiting a vaguely defined clause in the cybercrime amendment act.

“We strongly denounce the ongoing trials of these four journalists. While we understand that journalists are not above the law, we firmly believe that no one should be treated as if they are exempt from the law, as our colleagues have been,”he added.

The group has initiated a significant boycott campaign against the bank.

“We are taking steps to escalate a nationwide boycott of GTB as a financial institution.

“By the end of today, we aim to communicate with all our members to encourage them to participate in this protest against the treatment of these journalists,”Adeoti concluded.