News
Court Remands Two Women Over Alleged Access Bank Shutdown Rumour
A Lagos Federal High Court has ordered the remand of two women accused of circulating a message claiming that Access Bank Plc would cease operations o...
By Patience
The defendants, Idorenyin Samuel Umoh and Fineness Monday Esu, appeared before Justice Akintayo Aluko on Friday after the police filed a three-count charge against them.
Both women pleaded not guilty when the allegations were read to them.
WHAT THE POLICE SAY HAPPENED
The case centres on a publication allegedly circulated on July 28 in which customers of Access Bank were reportedly told to close their accounts and withdraw their money because the bank was supposedly preparing to shut down.
According to the charge, the message was transmitted through computer systems and was also circulated on Facebook and WhatsApp.
The police alleged that the defendants acted together with other individuals who have not been brought before the court.
Authorities further alleged that the publication could cause public fear and contribute to a breakdown of law and order.
THREE ALLEGATIONS BEFORE THE COURT
The charges accuse the defendants of conspiracy and the transmission or publication of information the police consider false.
One count alleges that they conspired to transmit the message through computer systems and networks.
Another focuses specifically on the alleged distribution of the message through Facebook and WhatsApp.
The third count alleges that the publication could cause fear and alarm among members of the public and disturb public peace.
The charges were brought under provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, as amended in 2024, and the Criminal Code Act.
DEFENCE SEEKS BAIL
After the defendants entered their pleas, prosecuting counsel Stanley Nwafoaku asked the court to keep them in custody and fix a date for trial.
Counsel representing the defendants, Cynthia Nwanpu, requested a short adjournment to enable the defence to submit a formal bail application.
Justice Aluko subsequently ordered that the two women remain in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service pending consideration of the bail application.
The judge also fixed November 25, 2026, for further proceedings and trial.
ALLEGATIONS YET TO BE PROVED
The case remains before the court, and the defendants have denied the charges against them.
The police will be required to establish their allegations through evidence as the proceedings continue.
Until the court determines the case, the claims against the two women remain allegations and should not be treated as established facts.