Two women, Iderenyin Samuel Umoh and Fineness Monday Esu, have been arraigned before the Federal High Court in Lagos for allegedly conspiring to circulate a false publication claiming that Access Bank Plc would shut down its operations.
The defendants were arraigned on a three-count charge filed by the Nigeria Police Force through its prosecuting counsel, Stanley Nwafoaku, of the Directorate of Legal Services, Federal Criminal Investigation Department, Alagbon, Ikoyi, Lagos.
The prosecution alleged that the defendants, alongside other persons said to be at large, knowingly transmitted and caused the transmission of a false publication through computer systems and networks on July 28, 2026.
According to the charge, the publication falsely claimed that Access Bank would cease operations from September 23, 2026, and urged customers to close their accounts and withdraw their funds.
The police alleged that the publication was circulated through Facebook and WhatsApp and was intended to cause a breakdown of law and order.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the three counts bordering on conspiracy, cyberstalking and publication of false information.
Following their pleas, Nwafoaku urged the court to remand the defendants in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service pending trial and prayed the court to fix a date for hearing.
However, counsel to the defendants, Cynthia Nwanpu, who appeared on behalf of Ifenna Okeke, requested a short date to enable the defence file a formal bail application.
Justice Akintayo Aluko subsequently ordered that the defendants be remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service.
The judge adjourned the case until November 25, 2026, for trial, directing that the defendants’ bail application be given expeditious hearing once filed.
The three-count charge was brought under Section 27(1)(b) and Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, as amended in 2024, as well as Section 59(1) of the Criminal Code Act, Cap. C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
