By SAM POPOOLA, Lagos
Two women have been arraigned in the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, over an alleged viral social media publication claiming that Access Bank Plc would shut down its operations.
The two defendants, Idorenyin Samuel Umoh and Fineness Monday Esu, were on Friday, dragged before the Federal High Court over the alleged publication said to have advised Access Bank customers to close their accounts and withdraw their money.
The women were arraigned by operatives of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (ForceCID), Annex, Alagbon, Ikoyi, Lagos, on a three-count charge bordering on alleged transmission and publication of false information.
They appeared before Justice Akintayo Aluko on charge number FHC/L/CR/773/2026.
The police alleged that the defendants, alongside other persons said to be at large, conspired to transmit what the prosecution described as a false publication concerning the bank through computer systems and networks.
According to the prosecutor, S.I. Nwafoaku, the alleged publication was circulated on Facebook and WhatsApp on July 28, 2026.
The message, the court heard, claimed that Access Bank would shut down its banking operations from September 23, 2026, and allegedly urged customers to close their accounts and withdraw their funds.
The police alleged that the publication was knowingly and intentionally made and was capable of causing a breakdown of law and order.
The defendants were further accused of publishing or reproducing a statement, rumour or report which they allegedly knew, or had reason to believe, was false and capable of causing fear and alarm and disturbing public peace.
The alleged offences were said to violate Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, as amended in 2024, and Section 59(1) of the Criminal Code Act.
When the charges were read to them, both defendants pleaded not guilty.
Following their pleas, the prosecutor urged the court to fix a date for trial and remand the defendants in a Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) facility pending the determination of the case.
But their lawyer immediately made an oral application for bail.
The prosecution vehemently opposed the application.
In his ruling, Justice Aluko directed the defendants to file formal bail applications before the next adjourned date.
The judge ordered that the women be remanded pending the hearing of their bail applications.
The case has been adjourned until November 25, 2026, for further proceedings.
0 Comments