Two women, Idorenyin Samuel Umoh and Fineness Monday Esu, have been arraigned before the Federal High Court in Lagos over alleged conspiracy and transmission of false information concerning Access Bank Plc.

The defendants were arraigned by the Police prosecuting counsel, Barrister Stanley Nwafoaku, of the Directorate of Legal Services, Federal Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Alagbon, Ikoyi, Lagos.

They were brought before Justice Akintayo Aluko on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, transmission of false publication through computer systems and networks, and publication of a false statement allegedly capable of causing fear and alarm and disturbing public peace.

The prosecution alleged that the defendants, on or about July 28, 2026, conspired with other persons now at large to transmit a false publication concerning Access Bank Plc, claiming that the bank would shut down its operations effective September 23, 2026.

According to the charge, the publication allegedly urged customers of the bank to close their accounts and withdraw their funds, an action the prosecution said was intended to cause a breakdown of law and order.

The defendants were also accused of knowingly and intentionally transmitting the publication through Facebook and WhatsApp, despite allegedly knowing that the information was false.

When the three-count charge was read to them, both defendants pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

Following their pleas, Nwafoaku urged the court to remand the defendants in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service pending trial.

However, counsel to the defendants, Cynthia Nwanpu, who appeared for Ifenna Okeke, asked the court for a short date to enable the defence file a formal bail application.

Justice Akintayo Aluko subsequently ordered that the defendants be remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service and adjourned the matter until November 25, 2026, for trial.

The court also indicated that the defendants’ bail application would be given expeditious hearing once filed.

The Charges

Count One: The defendants were charged with allegedly conspiring among themselves and with other persons now at large to knowingly transmit a false publication through computer systems and networks concerning Access Bank Plc, claiming that the bank was shutting down its operations from September 23, 2026, and urging customers to close their accounts and withdraw their funds.

The alleged offence was said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 27(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, as amended in 2024.

Count Two: The defendants were accused of knowingly and intentionally sending or causing the transmission, through Facebook and WhatsApp, of a publication they allegedly knew to be false, claiming that Access Bank Plc would cease its banking operations from September 23, 2026, and urging members of the public and the bank’s customers to close their accounts and withdraw their funds.

The prosecution said the alleged act was committed for the purpose of causing a breakdown of law and order and was contrary to Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, as amended in 2024.

Count Three: The defendants were further accused of knowingly publishing or reproducing a statement, rumour or report, having reason to believe it was false, alleging that Access Bank Plc was shutting down its operations effective September 23, 2026, and advising customers to close their accounts and withdraw their funds.

The prosecution alleged 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.