POLICE ARRAIGN TWO WOMEN OVER ALLEGED FALSE PUBLICATION ABOUT ACCESS BANK

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

The police on Friday arraigned two women, Idorenyin Umoh and Fineness Esu, before the Federal High Court in Lagos for allegedly conspiring to circulate a false publication about Access Bank Plc.

The defendants were arraigned on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, false information and conduct likely to cause a breakdown of law and order.

According to the charge sheet marked FHC/L/CR/773/2026, the defendants allegedly committed the offences on or about July 28, 2026, in Lagos.

Prosecuting counsel, Stanley Nwafoaku, told the court that the defendants conspired with each other and others still at large to knowingly transmit a false publication concerning Access Bank through computer systems and networks.

Nwafoaku said the publication claimed that the bank would shut down its operations on September 23, 2026, and urged customers to close their accounts and withdraw their funds.

He alleged that the defendants knowingly and intentionally transmitted the publication through Facebook and WhatsApp.

The prosecutor said the alleged act was intended to cause a breakdown of law and order, contrary to Section 27(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, as amended in 2024.

The defendants were also accused of circulating the publication in a manner likely to cause fear and alarm among members of the public and disturb public peace, contrary to Section 59(1) of the Criminal Code Act, Cap. C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

When the charges 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 and fix a date for trial.

Defence counsel, Cynthia Nwanpu, who appeared for Ifenna Okeke, however, sought a short adjournment to enable the defence to file a formal bail application.

Justice Akintayo Aluko subsequently ordered that the defendants be remanded in a correctional facility.

The judge adjourned the case until November 25, 2026, for trial, pending the filing and hearing of the defendants’ bail application.