The Police prosecuting counsel Stanley Nwafoaku from the Directorate of legal services of Federal Criminal Investigation Department of Nigeria Police Force Alagbon Ikoyi Lagos today, arraigned two ladies alleged to have considered together to cause the transmission of false publication concerning Access Bank to the effect that the lender is shutting down its operations.
When the three count charges were read to them, the two Defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Thereafter Barrister Nwafoaku urged the court to remand them in the custody of 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, adjourned till 25th of November 2026 for trial pending when the defence counsel should have filed a bail application, which will be given expeditious hearing.
The charge as 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 through the means of Computer systems and networks, concerning Access Bank Plc, to the effect 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, an act done for the purpose of causing a break of law and order, and thereby committed an offence of Conspiracy, Contrary 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 SAMIUEL 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 to the 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.
