United Bank for Africa (UBA) has confirmed that viral divorce rumours about its Group Chairman, Tony Elumelu, are completely false, leading to the arrest of three social media influencers allegedly responsible for spreading the fabricated story. The bank issued a strong warning to the public to cease sharing the defamatory content or face legal consequences.
The false claims, which circulated widely on social media platforms, alleged that Tony Elumelu had divorced his wife, Awele Elumelu. UBA swiftly debunked the reports, describing them as malicious and deliberately designed to mislead the public and cause reputational harm.
Official Statement from UBA
In an official statement released by the bank’s Group Head of Brand, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Alero Ladipo, UBA expressed zero tolerance for misinformation. The statement read: “The attention of UBA Group has been drawn to a false, defamatory, and malicious publication currently circulating on social media platforms, falsely alleging that the Group Chairman, Mr Tony O. Elumelu, CFR, has divorced his wife.”
The bank emphasised that there is no truth to the claim, calling it a deliberate falsehood. “These statements and all similar content are entirely fabricated, reckless, and without basis. The claims are a deliberate falsehood designed to mislead the public and cause reputational harm,” the statement added.
Arrests Made as Investigation Intensifies
UBA confirmed that the matter has been escalated to law enforcement authorities, leading to the arrest of three individuals directly connected to the creation and dissemination of the false narrative. The suspects have been identified as Kingsley Akunemeihe (known online as @Directorkem), Chigozie Ihebom, and John Nwanorue (@problemchimky). These individuals are alleged social media influencers on X (formerly Twitter) who reportedly pushed the false story to gain traction and boost engagement on their accounts.
The bank noted that investigations are ongoing and more arrests could follow as authorities track others involved in spreading the rumour. The arrests highlight the growing concern over misinformation on social media, particularly when it involves high-profile figures.
Strong Warning to the Public
UBA issued a firm warning to anyone still sharing or reposting the false claim, urging them to stop immediately. “This serves as a formal notice to all individuals, platforms, and entities involved in the publication, reposting, or continued dissemination of this content to immediately cease and desist,” the statement warned.
The bank further directed that all related posts be taken down while preserving evidence for possible legal proceedings. It added that failure to comply could result in both civil and criminal consequences. The incident underscores the serious repercussions of spreading unverified information, especially on digital platforms.
Protecting Reputation and Privacy
Reaffirming its stance, UBA said it remains committed to protecting the integrity, reputation, and privacy of its chairman and the institution as a whole. The bank made it clear that it will pursue all legal options available against anyone found culpable. Alero Ladipo, UBA's Group Head of Brand, Marketing and Corporate Communications, issued a formal notice to all digital platforms to remove the fabricated content immediately or face severe legal action.
This case serves as a reminder of the legal and ethical responsibilities of social media users and influencers. Misinformation can cause significant harm, and authorities are increasingly taking action against those who spread false narratives for personal gain.
