Business
Alleged Blackmailing of GTCO, CEO: Bloggers’ trial moved to January
Adenle Ahmed Abiola
The trial of four bloggers: Precious Eze, Olawale Rotimi, Rowland Olonishuwa, and Seun Odunlami, charged with allegedly blackmailing Guaranty Trust Holding Company and its Group Chief Executive Officer, Segun Agbaje, was on Thursday adjourned to January 13 and 14, 2025.
They were dragged before Justice Ayokunle Faji of the Federal High Court, Lagos by the Special Fraud Unit of the Nigeria Police Force.
They are facing a 10 count amended charge for allegedly publishing false information about GTCO and Agbaje through various social media platforms.
They had pleaded not guilty to the charges and were denied bail because Eze was accused of being a serial offender.
However, Justice Faji ordered an accelerated trial of the four bloggers.
At the resumed hearing of the matter on November 13 and 14, 2024, Justice Faji dismissed their bail applications, citing the serious nature of the alleged offences, which included charges that could lead to up to 14 years in prison.
The judge also held that Eze has shown the tendencies of committing the offence again if let out as he is currently charged with a similar offence in another court and was only out on bail when he went ahead to commit the alleged offence for which he is now standing trial.
He also highlighted the potential destabilising impact such actions could have on the banking sector, particularly since some of the charges involved cross-border activities on the internet.
He also noted that the defendants’ actions challenged the authority of regulatory bodies, including the Central Bank of Nigeria, which had approved GTCO’s audited statements.
At the resumption of trial on Thursday, the defence counsel, O. A Afolabi, called Eze, the 1st defendant, to the witness box to give his testimony concerning the circumstances surrounding the recording of his statement at the police custody after his arrest.
The witness said: “I was arrested on September 21, 2024 at Gbagada and was taken to the SFU office in Ikoyi.
“When we got there, I was taken to the office on the first floor by the right, where we met someone called Abu, who later called Mr. Yakubu to conduct my interrogation.
“He then took me to another office where there were many files.
“He then asked me if I knew why I was arrested and I answered that I had no idea.
“A file was then shown to me and I didn’t know how the file applied to me.
“Yakubu then replied that it was a petition written against me and a few others from GTB.
“We sat down and discussed.
“He told me my name was mentioned that I wrote a story against the bank and he said if I should cooperate with him, the issue will be settled seamlessly.
“He said if I give the full details of the issues, I’d be free to go.
“He said I should write my statement and I asked that my lawyer has to be here before I write and he replied that it doesn’t matter since all that he asked was for me to write what happened.
“I was insistent on having my lawyer around and he got offended.
“He said I should write my statement If I want to leave the station that same day.
“I agreed eventually and he brought a sheet of paper for me to write.”
On whether the interrogation room captured in the video played for the court was the same room he was taken to immediately he got to the SFU office, the witness replied that he had seen the video and the room was different from the initial one he was taken.
Afolabi further asked the circumstances surrounding the writing of the two statements shown in court.
Eze replied: “The statement I wrote in the first office I was taken to was the same one I was given to rewrite the same thing in another form.”
Objecting, the prosecution counsel, Chief Ajibola Aribisala (SAN), urged the court to play the video recording of the statement to ascertain the authenticity of the witness’s claims that he copied his first statement in his second.
Chief Aribisala informed the court that the two statements, in contrast to what the witness said, were two different statements without same narration and meaning.
In continuation of his cross-examination, the prosecuting counsel urged the court to allow the witness to read out a few lines from the two statements to determine if it was copied or rewritten.
The defence counsel raised an objection to the suggestion of reading out the content of the statements to the court by the prosecuting counsel.
Aribisala insisted that the statement is yet to be admitted before the court and as such cannot be read out.
After few deliberations, the trial judge admitted the statement as evidence to be used in the trial within trial.
The prosecuting counsel, after the careful comparing and contrasting of the two statements, asked the witness the similarities between the two statements to ascertain it as being copied or rewritten.
The witness replied: “I’m not a child and I’m learned to know that I’m not expected to write the statement verbatim.
“And as a writer, I can write on the same subject matter or topic with different approaches or words.”
Eze added that the initial part of the second statement he was seen writing in the video played in the court was dictated to him by Investigating Police Officer Yakubu, who later gave him the first statement to copy into the second one he wrote.
Opposing, Chief Aribisala told the court that the two statements are the original thoughts of the witness and not dictated as the witness had alleged in his testimony.
Justice Faji thereafter adjourned the case until January 13 and 14, 2025 for further cross-examination of witnesses.
The Eagle Online recalls that at the resumption of trial on Tuesday, a police witness, M. Yakubu, who was still under oath, was cross-examined by the defence counsel.
Adeniyi had asked him: “Are you familiar with international laws and practices that guide investigators and the implications of not adhering to such laws and practices?”
The witness replied: “I am aware,” adding that he had been an investigator since 2001.
On whether he knew that each column in a statement form has its importance to the investigator and the suspects and as well familiar with his right to guide and not induce or promise the suspect through the process, the witness replied that he was certainly aware.
Adeniyi further asked for the starting and ending time of each statement recording of the defendants from the 1st to the 4th and the reason for the process without the presence of their lawyers
The witness replied that the maximum time spent in recording the statement of each defendant was an hour and it was done in the absence of their legal representatives, which he said was as the defendants agreed to do.
He further probed: “How many interrogation rooms do you have at your station?”
Witness replied: “We have only one.”
Defence counsel: “How did you record the statement of the four defendants?”
Witness: “It was done one after the other and I was the one who conducted it.”
Defence counsel: “Do you have an observation room at your station? How many?”
Witness: “We only have CCTV footage of the interrogation room, which can only be viewed from the office of the CP, DSP and ACP.”
The defence counsel then prayed the court to give room for more witnesses for cross examination.
Opposing the application, Chief Aribisala urged the court to reject the request or mandate the defence counsel to make available the list of witnesses before they appear in court.
In delivering his ruling, Justice Faji ordered the defence counsel to update the prosecuting counsel on the list of the witnesses that will be summoned at the next hearing slated for Thursday, December 12, 2024.
Business
Analyst Predict Fidelity Bank to meet Recaptalization Threshold ahead of Regulatory Deadline
AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM
SPONSORED BY: H&H
Fidelity Bank Plc is making impressive strides on its path to fulfilling the recapitalization targets set by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). With the successful completion of the first phase of its capital-raising initiative that was oversubscribed by 238% and its share price growth of over 100%, investor confidence in the bank is at an all time high.
Following the successful completion of phase 1 of its capital raise, the bank is exceptionally well-positioned to not only meet the regulatory threshold but to also fuel its growth trajectory in the long-term.
With the conclusion of its equity capital raise, the response has been nothing short of extraordinary, with the Public Offer oversubscribed by an astounding 237.92%. This translates to 107,588 valid applications for a total of 23,768,724,000 ordinary shares, amounting to ₦231.7 billion. The Rights Issue also shone brightly, achieving a remarkable 137.73% subscription rate with 6,903 valid applications for 4,407,252,795 ordinary shares, totaling ₦40.7 billion.
Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, the Managing Director and CEO of Fidelity Bank, expressed heartfelt gratitude for the overwhelming support from investors, stating, “The positive results recorded in our Combined Offer are a testament to the strength of the Fidelity Bank franchise in the capital market.” Such a robust response not only underscores investor confidence but also reaffirms the bank’s unwavering commitment to delivering innovative financial solutions and sustainable returns to its stakeholders.
Following this remarkable success, Fidelity Bank has secured shareholder approval to launch the second phase of its capital-raising initiatives. This includes a significant increase in the bank’s issued share capital from ₦26.7 billion to ₦36.7 billion. Shareholders endorsed this expansion during an Extraordinary General Meeting on February 6, 2025, approving the creation of an additional 20 billion ordinary shares of ₦0.50 each.
This strategic capital boost positions Fidelity Bank to meet the CBN’s new minimum regulatory capital requirement of ₦500 billion for banks with international authorization before March 31, 2026. This ambitious goal aligns seamlessly with the bank’s vision for sustainable growth and exceptional service delivery, setting the stage for a dynamic future.
Fidelity Bank’s stock performance has further solidified its status as a top contender in the financial sector. From an initial offer price of ₦9.75 per share during the Public Offer, shares soared to a high of ₦21.15 on February 7, 2025, representing an impressive growth rate of over 116%. This positions Fidelity Bank as one of the best-performing financial institutions in the market, with analysts from Apel Asset Limited noting an impressive 80% return on investment for shareholders who have held shares since 2023.
Market analysts project a considerable upside potential of 28.88%, establishing a fair value of Fidelity Bank at ₦23.15 against a reference price of ₦19.50. Such promising indicators not only enhance investor confidence but also position Fidelity Bank as a compelling investment opportunity within the Nigerian banking landscape.
The funds raised from the initial phases of the capital-raising exercises are earmarked for several key initiatives. Fidelity Bank plans to utilize these resources for local and international business expansion, enhancing technology infrastructure, and improving customer service initiatives. This proactive approach showcases the bank’s commitment to innovation and operational excellence.
As the bank gears up for the next phase of its capital-raising initiative, the primary focus remains on achieving its recapitalization targets while consistently delivering value to stakeholders. The bank’s leadership is confident that, with sustained investor support and a robust financial strategy, it will adeptly navigate the evolving landscape of the Nigerian banking sector.
Fidelity Bank’s recent achievements in capital raising signal a pivotal moment in its journey toward strengthening its financial foundation. With robust investor backing, strategic capital allocation, and a clear vision for growth, Fidelity Bank is not just on track to meet its recapitalization target—it is poised to exceed it.
The road ahead promises to be one of sustained growth and innovation, reinforcing Fidelity Bank’s position as a leader in the Nigerian financial sector. As the bank looks toward the future, it remains steadfast in its commitment to fostering strong relationships with investors and delivering on its promise of financial excellence and exceptional customer satisfaction.
Fidelity Bank’s proactive measures and impressive market performance pave the way for a brighter, more prosperous future—one where it continues to lead with integrity and vision in the ever-evolving financial landscape.
Business
GTCO Plc Launches Initiative to Improve Quality of Life for Households and Empower Women
AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM
Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO), a leading financial services institution renowned for its innovative approach to corporate social responsibility (CSR) and stakeholder engagement, today announced the launch of its “Waste for Gas” project to improve quality of life for households and empower women in underserved communities.
This transformative initiative aims to distribute 3,000 3kg gas cylinders with burners to low-income households in Obafemi Owode Local Government, Mowe, Ogun State.
The Waste for Gas project underscores GTCO’s unwavering commitment to improving outcomes for people and communities. By providing households with gas-powered cooking, the initiative simplifies daily routines, freeing up time for essential activities that support financial resilience.
The initiative also introduces a structured “waste for gas” exchange programme that promotes responsible waste management, fostering a culture of sustainability.
The project will unfold in two key phases, ensuring that it reaches those most in need.
In the first phase, teams from GTCO, in collaboration with local government representatives, will conduct door-to-door visits across 12 wards in Obafemi Owode Local Government from Monday to Friday, February 18th – 21st, 2025.
These visits will help identify beneficiaries who currently rely on firewood and charcoal for cooking. Participating households will collect and return plastic waste in exchange for gas cylinders and burners.
In the second phase, scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, February 22nd and 23rd, 2025, efforts will be shifted to monitoring and increasing adoption of the new cooking method among the beneficiaries.
Speaking on the initiative, Mr. Segun Agbaje, Group Chief Executive Officer of GTCO Plc, stated: “At GTCO, we are committed to driving progress, not just through innovative financial solutions but by creating real impact in the communities where we operate.
Waste for Gas is about making life easier for families, giving them more time for what truly matters—whether it’s education, meaningful work, or personal development.
Beyond this initiative, our goal is to continually evolve sustainable platforms that empower people, strengthen communities, and contribute to socioeconomic progress.”
As GTCO continues to expand its CSR footprint, the Waste for Gas project serves as a blueprint for future interventions that drive meaningful, long-lasting impact in underserved communities.
Business
Dr. Owen Omogiafo Transcorp Group President to Deliver Keynote at Women in Energy Forum, NIES 2025
Dr. Owen Omogiafo Transcorp Group President to Deliver Keynote at Women in Energy Forum, NIES 2025
AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM
SPONSORED BY: H&H
Dr. Owen D. Omogiafo, OON the President and Group Chief Executive Officer of Transcorp Plc, is set to deliver a keynote address at the Women in Energy Forum during the Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES) 2025. The summit is scheduled from February 24th to 27th, 2025 in Abuja.
The Women in Energy Forum, themed “Advancing Africa’s Energy Transformation and Inclusion,” aims to highlight the pivotal role of women in Africa’s evolving energy landscape. Dr. Omogiafo’s keynote, titled “Leadership, Innovation, and the Future of Women in Energy,” will delve into the significance of innovative leadership and the increasing contributions of women in the sector.
Dr. Omogiafo has been a prominent advocate for equitable energy access and gender-inclusive leadership. Her participation underscores the importance of diversity and innovation in driving Africa’s energy transformation.
The NIES 2025 serves as a premier platform for international energy discourse, uniting stakeholders to foster innovation and unlock value across the continent. The inclusion of forums like the Women in Energy Forum highlights the summit’s commitment to comprehensive and inclusive discussions on Africa’s energy future.
Dr. Omogiafo’s insights are expected to inspire and influence strategies for leadership and innovation, emphasizing the critical role of women in shaping the future of energy in Africa.
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