Two women, Idorenyin Samuel Umoh and Fineness Monday Esu, have been arraigned before the Federal High Court in Lagos over an alleged false social media publication claiming that Access Bank Plc would shut down its banking operations from September 23, 2026. The arraignment follows a similar incident involving fintech company OPay, where a woman was arrested for spreading a fake shutdown notice.
Details of the Charges and Alleged Offence
The Force Criminal Investigation Department, Alagbon Annex, Ikoyi, brought the two women before Justice Akintayo Aluko on a three-count charge marked FHC/L/CR/773/2026. According to the prosecution, the defendants allegedly conspired with other persons at large to transmit false information concerning Access Bank through computer systems and networks.
Police alleged that the defendants circulated the publication on Facebook and WhatsApp around July 28, 2026. The message claimed that Access Bank would cease banking operations and advised customers to close their accounts and withdraw their money ahead of the purported shutdown. Prosecuting counsel S. I. Nwafoaku told the court that the women knowingly and intentionally circulated the information in circumstances capable of causing fear and disrupting public order.
Court Proceedings and Bail Application
The alleged offences were brought under Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, as amended in 2024, and Section 59(1) of the Criminal Code Act. Both defendants pleaded not guilty to all three counts.
Following their pleas, Nwafoaku asked the court to remand the defendants in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service pending trial. Their lawyer opposed the request and made an oral bail application. Justice Aluko subsequently directed the defendants to file formal bail applications and ordered that they remain in custody pending the hearing of those applications. The court adjourned the case until November 25, 2026.
The charges remain allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless the prosecution proves its case beyond reasonable doubt.
Similar OPay Shutdown Hoax and Investigation
The Access Bank case follows a similar controversy involving OPay, after a viral notice falsely claimed the fintech would suspend operations and transaction services from September 1, 2026. The message also urged customers to withdraw their money, but OPay publicly dismissed the notice as false and confirmed that its services would continue. The company subsequently said the police and State Security Service were investigating the source of the publication.
On September 10, police disclosed that Hafsat Abubakar had been arrested after investigators traced the viral OPay publication to an X account allegedly operated by her. Police said investigations were continuing to determine whether other people were involved.
Access Bank's Response and Industry Implications
Legit.ng earlier reported that Access Bank Plc has reassured millions of customers that it is financially strong and fully operational after false reports circulating on social media claimed the bank was shutting down. The lender described the viral message as fake, urging customers and the general public to ignore the misinformation and rely only on updates released through its official communication channels.
The two cases underline the potential consequences of circulating unverified information about banks and other financial institutions, particularly claims capable of triggering customers to withdraw their funds. The court proceedings continue, with the next hearing set for November 25, 2026.
