Police Arraign Two Women for Cyberstalking Access Bank

OpenLife News reports that the Nigeria Police Force has arraigned two women before the Federal High Court in Lagos for allegedly spreading false information that Access Bank Plc was shutting down operations.

The defendants, Idorenyin Samuel Umoh and Fineness Monday Esu, were arraigned on Friday before Justice Akintayo Aluko by Stanley Nwafoaku, a prosecuting counsel from the Directorate of Legal Services, Federal Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Alagbon, Ikoyi, Lagos.

They were arraigned on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, cyberstalking and publication of false information.

However, Cyhtia Nwanpu who stood in for Ifenna Okeke counsel for both defendants, asked for a short date to file a formal bail application

The charges with number FHC/L/CR/773/2026 filed before the court

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, and 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 (PROHIBLIION, 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.

Ruling, Justice Aluko ordered that the defendants be remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service and adjourned the case till November 25, 2026, for trial.

The judge held that the bail application, once filed, will be given expeditious hearing.