Two Lagos women remanded over cyberstalking

The police on Friday arraigned two women, Idorenyin Umoh and Fineness Esu, before the Federal High Court in Lagos for allegedly conspiring to circulate a false publication about Access Bank Plc.

The defendants were arraigned on a three-count charge of conspiracy, false information conduct likely to cause breakdown of law and order.

According to the charge sheet marked FHC/L/CR/773/2026, the defendants allegedly committed the offences on or about July 28, 2026, in Lagos.

The prosecuting counsel, Stanley Nwafoaku, told the court that the defendants conspired among themselves and with others at large to knowingly transmit a false publication through computer systems and networks concerning Access Bank.

According to him, the publication claimed that the bank was shutting down its operations on September 23, 2026, and urged customers to close their accounts and withdraw their funds.

Nwafoaku added that the act was committed to cause a breakdown of law and order, an offence punishable under Section 27(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, as amended in 2024.

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The defendants were also accused of knowingly and intentionally transmitting the publication through Facebook and WhatsApp.

The police stated that the publication was likely to cause fear and alarm to the public and disturb public peace, contrary to and punishable under Section 59(1) of the Criminal Code Act, Cap. C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

When the charges were read to them, the defendants pleaded not guilty.

Nwafoaku thereafter urged the court to remand the defendants 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.

However, Justice Akintayo Aluko remanded the defendants in correctional facility and adjourned the case till November 25, 2026, for trial, pending the filing and hearing of the bail application.