Police Arraign 2 Women Over Alleged False Access Bank Shutdown Report

Police in Lagos on Friday arraigned two women, accused of circulating false reports on Facebook and WhatsApp claiming that Access Bank Plc was shutting down its operations, before the Federal High Court over alleged cyberstalking.

The police docked the defendants, Idorenyin Samuel Umoh and Fineness Monday Esu, on a three-count charge of conspiracy, cyberstalking, and the publication of false statements that could incite public fear and disturb public peace.

The police filed the charge, numbered FHC/L/CR/773/2026, through its prosecuting counsel, Stanley Nwafoaku, of the Directorate of Legal Services, Federal Criminal Investigation Department, Alagbon, Ikoyi, Lagos.

The prosecution alleged that, on or about July 28, 2026, the defendants conspired with others not yet apprehended to spread a false claim that Access Bank would cease operations from September 23, 2026.

According to the charge, the publication urged customers to close their accounts and withdraw their funds, allegedly to cause law and order to break down.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to all three counts when they were read to them.

After their pleas were taken, Nwafoaku urged the court to remand them to the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service and adjourned the case for trial.

However, the defence counsel, Cynthia Nwanpu, asked the court for a short date to enable her to file a formal bail application on behalf of her clients.

Justice Akintayo Aluko ordered that the defendants be remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service.

The case was adjourned until 25 November 2026 for trial, with the judge directing that the bail application be considered promptly.

The prosecution added that, in the second count, the defendants knowingly and intentionally transmitted the false publication via Facebook and WhatsApp, despite being aware it was untrue.

The charge stated that the publication claimed Access Bank was shutting down its banking activities and urged the public to withdraw their funds, an act police said could incite law-and-order issues.

In the third count, the police accused the defendants of publishing or reproducing statements, rumours, or reports they knew or had reason to believe were false and likely to cause public fear and alarm, thereby disturbing peace.

The alleged offences contravene Sections 27(1)(b) and 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.