Two women, Iderenyin Samuel Umoh and Fineness Monday Esu, have been arraigned before the Federal High Court in Lagos over allegations that they conspired to circulate a false report that Access Bank Plc was shutting down its operations.
The defendants were arraigned on a three-count charge filed by the police, alleging conspiracy, transmission of false information through computer systems and networks, and publication of a statement allegedly capable of causing fear and disturbing public peace.
They pleaded not guilty to all three counts when the charges were read to them.
According to the charge, the alleged offence occurred on July 28, 2026, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of the court.
The prosecution, led by Stanley Nwafoaku of the Directorate of Legal Services, Federal Criminal Investigation Department, Alagbon, Lagos, alleged that the defendants conspired with other persons, said to be at large, to transmit a false publication concerning Access Bank.
The police alleged that the publication claimed the bank would shut down its operations from September 23, 2026, and urged its customers to close their accounts and withdraw their funds.
The prosecution further alleged that the information was circulated through social media and messaging platforms, including Facebook and WhatsApp.
According to Count One, the defendants allegedly conspired to knowingly transmit and cause the transmission of the publication through computer systems and networks, an act the prosecution said was carried out for the purpose of causing a breakdown of law and order.
The allegation was brought under Section 27(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, as amended in 2024.
In Count Two, the police alleged that the defendants knowingly and intentionally transmitted the publication through Facebook and WhatsApp, despite allegedly knowing it to be false.
The prosecution maintained that the publication was made for the purpose of causing a breakdown of law and order, citing Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes Act, as amended.
The third count accused the defendants of knowingly publishing or reproducing a statement, rumour or report concerning Access Bank’s alleged closure, despite having reason to believe that the information was false.
The prosecution alleged that the publication was likely to cause fear and alarm among members of the public and disturb public peace.
The count was filed under Section 59(1) of the Criminal Code Act, Cap. C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Following the defendants’ pleas, Nwafoaku urged the court to remand them in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service pending trial.
However, counsel for the defendants, Cynthia Nwanpu, who appeared on behalf of Ifenna Okeke, asked the court for 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 matter until November 25, 2026, for trial, while directing that the defendants’ bail application, when filed, be given expeditious hearing.
The allegations against the defendants have not been established in court. Both defendants pleaded not guilty, and the prosecution will be required to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt as the proceedings continue.
