The Nigeria Police Force has arraigned two women before the Federal High Court in Lagos for allegedly conspiring to circulate a false publication claiming that Access Bank Plc was shutting down its operations.
The defendants, Idorenyin Samuel Umoh and Fineness Monday Esu, were arraigned on a three-count charge filed by the police before the Federal High Court, Lagos, in suit number FHC/L/CR/773/2026.
Police prosecuting counsel, Stanley Nwafoaku, of the Directorate of Legal Services, Federal Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Alagbon, Ikoyi, Lagos, told the court that the defendants allegedly acted together with other persons still at large to transmit a false publication concerning Access Bank through computer systems and networks.
According to the charge, the alleged publication claimed that Access Bank would shut down its banking operations with effect from September 23, 2026, and urged customers to close their accounts and withdraw their funds.
The prosecution alleged that the publication was circulated through Facebook and WhatsApp, and that the defendants knew it to be false.
The charges include alleged conspiracy under Section 27(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, as amended in 2024, transmission of false information under Section 24(1)(b) of the same Act, and publication of a statement, rumour or report allegedly capable of causing fear and alarm and disturbing public peace under Section 59(1) of the Criminal Code Act.
When the three counts were read to them, both defendants pleaded not guilty.
Following their pleas, Nwafoaku urged the court to remand the defendants in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service pending trial.
However, counsel representing the defendants, Cynthia Nwanpu, who appeared in place of Ifenna Okeke, requested a short date to enable the defence file a formal bail application.
The presiding judge, Justice Akintayo Aluko, subsequently ordered that the defendants be remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service.
The court adjourned the matter until November 25, 2026, for trial, with the defence expected to file its bail application before then. The judge indicated that the bail application would be given an expeditious hearing.
