Two Women Remanded For Allegedly Claiming Access Bank Will Close Operations On September 23

Two Women Remanded For Allegedly Claiming Access Bank Will Close Operations On September 23

By Prince Benson Davies

The Police have arraigned two women before the Federal High Court in Lagos for allegedly spreading false information that Access Bank Plc is shutting down its operations and asking customers to close their accounts and withdraw their funds.

The defendants, Idorenyin Samuel Umoh and Fineness Monday Esu, were brought before the court on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, cyberstalking and publication of false information capable of causing public panic.

The charge, marked FHC/L/CR/773/2026, was filed by the Directorate of Legal Services of the Federal Criminal Investigation Department of the Nigeria Police Force, Alagbon, Ikoyi, Lagos.

According to the Police prosecuting counsel, Stanley Nwafoaku, the defendants conspired among themselves and with other persons now at large to transmit false publication through computer systems and networks concerning Access Bank Plc.

The prosecution alleged that on or about July 28, 2026, in Lagos, the defendants knowingly circulated a false claim through Facebook and WhatsApp that the bank would shut down its banking operations effective September 23, 2026, and urged members of the public and customers to close their accounts and withdraw their funds.

The Police said the act was done for the purpose of causing a breakdown of law and order and public panic.

When the charges were read to them in court, both defendants pleaded not guilty.

Following their plea, the prosecuting counsel urged the court to remand them in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service and fix a date for trial.

Counsel for the defendants, Cynthia Nwanpu, who stood in for Ifenna Okeke, asked the court for a short adjournment to enable the defence file a formal bail application.

The presiding judge, Justice Akintayo Aluko, ordered that the defendants be remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service and adjourned the matter till November 25, 2026, for trial. The court also stated that any bail application filed by the defence would be given expeditious hearing.

The three counts as filed by the Police read in part that the defendants conspired to knowingly transmit false publication through computer systems concerning Access Bank Plc to the effect that the bank was shutting down its operations, an offence contrary to Section 27(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes Prohibition, Prevention Act 2015 as amended in 2024.

The second count alleges that they intentionally sent false publication through Facebook and WhatsApp, an offence contrary to Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes Act 2015 as amended in 2024.

The third count accuses them of publishing a statement, rumour or report they knew or had reason to believe was false and likely to cause fear, alarm and disturb public peace, an offence contrary to Section 59(1) of the Criminal Code Act, Cap C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.