The Police prosecuting counsel, Stanley Nwafoaku, from the Directorate of Legal Services of the Federal Criminal Investigation Department of the Nigeria Police Force, Alagbon Ikoyi, Lagos, today arraigned two ladies alleged to have conspired together to cause the transmission of a false publication concerning Access Bank to the effect that the bank is shutting down its operations.
When the three-count charges were read to them, the two Defendants pleaded not guilty to the three-count charges.
Thereafter, Barrister Nwafoaku urged the court to remand them in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Services and fix a date for trial.
However, Cynthia Nwanpu, who stood in for Ifenna Okeke, counsel for both defendants, asked for a short date to file a formal bail application
The presiding Judge, Akintayo Aluko, while remanding the defendants in custody of the Nigerian correctional services adjourn till 25th of November 2026 for trial, pending the defence counsel should have file bail application, which will be given expeditious hearing.
The charge was filed before the court by the Police prosecuting counsel.
FHC/L/CR/773/2026
COUNT ONE
That you. IDORENYIN SAMUEL UMOBH and FINENESS MONDAY ESU, on or about the 28th day of July 2026, in Lagos. within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired amongst yourselves and with other persons now at large to knowingly transmit and cause the transmission of a false publication by means of Computer systems and networks, concerning Access Bank Plc, that the Bank was shutting down its operations with effect from 23rd September 2026 and that all customers should close their accounts and withdraw their funds, and an act done for the purpose of causing a breach of law and order. and thereby committed an offence of Conspiracy, contrary to and Punishable under Section 27(1)(b) of THE CYBERCRIMES (PROHIBITION, PREVENTION, ACT) ACT, 2015 (AS AMENDED IN 2024),
COUNT TWO
That you. IDORENYIN SAMUEL UMOH and FINENESS MONDAY ESU. on or about the 28th day of July 2026, in Lagos. within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, knowingly and intentionally sent and caused the transmission, through Facebook and WhatsApp. of a publication which you knew to be false, representing that Access Bank Plc was shutting down its banking operating effect from 23rd September 2026 and urging members of the public and customers of the Bank to close their accounts and withdraw their funds, an act done for the purpose of causing of breakdown of Law and order, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 24(1)(b) and punishable under Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended 2024).
COUNT THREE
That you. IDORENYIN SAMUEL UMOH and FINENESS MONDAY ESU. on or about the 28th day of July 2026. within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, knowingly of having reason to believe that the same was false. published and/or reproduced a statement. rumour or report that Access Bank Plc was shutting down its operations effective 23rd September 2026 and that customers should close their accounts and withdraw their funds. which publication was likely to cause fear and alarm to the public and disturb the public peace and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 59(1) of the Criminal Code Act, Cap. C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
