Police Arraign Two Women Over Alleged Cyberstalking of Access Bank
Two women, Idorenyin Samuel Umoh and Finess Monday Esu, have been arraigned before the Federal High Court in Lagos over allegations that they conspired to circulate a false publication claiming that Access Bank Plc was shutting down its operations.
The defendants were arraigned on a three-count charge filed by the Nigeria Police Force through its Directorate of Legal Services, Federal Criminal Investigation Department, Alagbon, Ikoyi, Lagos.
The police alleged that the women, alongside other persons said to be at large, transmitted a false publication concerning the bank through computer systems and networks.
According to the charge, the alleged publication claimed that Access Bank would cease operations from September 23, 2026, and urged customers to close their accounts and withdraw their funds.
The prosecution alleged that the publication was made with the intention of causing a breakdown of law and order.
When the three-count charge was read to the defendants, both pleaded not guilty.
Following their pleas, the police prosecuting counsel, Stanley Nwafoaku of the Directorate of Legal Services, urged the court to remand the defendants in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service and fix a date for trial.
However, counsel representing the two defendants, Cynthia Nwanpu, who appeared in place of Ifenna Okeke, requested a short date to enable the defence to file a formal application for their bail.
Justice Akintayo Aluko subsequently ordered that the defendants be remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service.
The judge adjourned the matter until November 25, 2026, for trial, pending the filing of the defendants’ bail application, which the court indicated would be given expeditious hearing.
The case, marked FHC/L/CR/773/2026, centres on allegations of spreading false information through social media and other communication platforms.
In the first count, the police alleged that Umoh and Esu, on or about July 28, 2026, in Lagos, conspired with each other and other persons still at large to knowingly transmit, or cause the transmission of, a false publication concerning Access Bank through computer systems and networks.
The prosecution alleged that the publication falsely stated that the bank would shut down its operations from September 23, 2026, and instructed customers to close their accounts and withdraw their money.
The police further alleged that the act was carried out for the purpose of causing a breakdown of law and order.
The prosecution said the alleged offence amounted to conspiracy under Section 27(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015, as amended in 2024.
Facebook and WhatsApp publication
In the second count, the police alleged that the defendants knowingly and intentionally sent or caused the transmission of the same publication through Facebook and WhatsApp.
The prosecution alleged that the defendants knew the information to be false but nevertheless circulated it as though Access Bank had announced that it would stop its banking operations from September 23.
The publication allegedly encouraged members of the public and Access Bank customers to close their accounts and withdraw their funds.
According to the charge, the police considered the alleged conduct capable of causing a breakdown of law and order.
The defendants were therefore charged under Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015, as amended in 2024.
The third count centres on an alleged violation of the Criminal Code Act. The police alleged that the defendants, knowing or having reason to believe that the information was false, published or reproduced a statement, rumour or report claiming that Access Bank would shut down its operations from September 23.
The prosecution further alleged that the publication directed customers to close their accounts and withdraw their funds.
The police maintained that the alleged publication was likely to cause fear and alarm among members of the public and disturb public peace.
The defendants were consequently charged under Section 59(1) of the Criminal Code Act, Cap. C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
The defendants’ pleas of not guilty mean that the allegations remain unproven and will be tested during the proceedings.
The court is expected to consider the formal bail application before the matter proceeds to trial on November 25, 2026.
