Two women, Idorenyin Umoh and Fineness Esu, have been remanded after being arraigned before the Federal High Court in Lagos over an alleged false publication concerning Access Bank Plc.
The defendants were arraigned on Friday on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, false information and conduct allegedly capable of causing a breakdown of law and order.
The case, marked FHC/L/CR/773/2026, relates to an alleged publication said to have been circulated in Lagos on or about July 28, 2026.
Prosecuting counsel, Stanley Nwafoaku, told the court that the defendants allegedly conspired with others at large to knowingly transmit a false publication concerning Access Bank through computer systems and networks.
According to the prosecution, the publication claimed that Access Bank would shut down its operations on September 23, 2026, and urged customers to close their accounts and withdraw their funds.
The police alleged that the publication was circulated through Facebook and WhatsApp.
Nwafoaku told the court that the alleged publication was capable of causing fear and alarm among members of the public and disturbing public peace.
The prosecution said the alleged conduct violated provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, as amended in 2024, as well as Section 59(1) of the Criminal Code Act.
When the charges were read to them, both defendants pleaded not guilty.
Nwafoaku subsequently asked the court to remand the women in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service and fix a date for trial.
Defence counsel, Cynthia Nwanpu, who appeared for Ifenna Okeke, requested a short adjournment to enable the defence to file a formal bail application.
Justice Akintayo Aluko ordered that the defendants be remanded in a correctional facility pending the consideration of their bail application.
The court adjourned the case until November 25, 2026, for trial.
The allegations centre on a social media message claiming that Access Bank would cease operations and advising customers to withdraw their funds.
The defendants have denied the allegations by pleading not guilty. The prosecution will therefore be required to prove its case in court.
The matter remains pending before the Federal High Court in Lagos.
