OPay fires legal warning at X user over viral fake shutdown notice
By Aboki Forex —
OPay Digital Services Limited has demanded that an X user delete a viral post falsely claiming the fintech company is going on a long, indefinite break and advising customers to withdraw their funds. The company has threatened legal action if the user fails to comply by 11:59 PM WAT on August 31, 2026.
Demand letter and three conditions
The demand letter, dated August 31, 2026, was signed by OPay's Chief Legal Counsel, Akinfolabi Moses Rokosu. It relates to a post published on August 30, 2026, by X user Cute Hafserh, with the handle @haifah_er_abba.
OPay described the publication as “false, malicious, unlawful, libellous, defamatory and lacks any factual, legal or ethical basis whatsoever.” The company said the post caused reputational and commercial damage and harmed its business operations.
The fintech company gave the user three conditions: permanently delete the post from X and any other platform where it may have been shared, issue a clear and unconditional retraction, and tender an unreserved public apology to OPay before the deadline.
Warning against false information
The letter warned that failure to comply would result in legal action, stating: “Your action has caused irreparable damage to us and we shall take all appropriate legal action against you and shall pursue all remedies available to us.”
OPay also issued a broader warning, saying: “OPay takes the publication and circulation of false and misleading information seriously. This is a formal warning against the continued publication and circulation of false and misleading information concerning OPay.”
The company has a large customer base in Nigeria that keeps funds in accounts for everyday transactions. A viral post urging customers to withdraw money could trigger panic, damage trust in the platform, and disrupt operations, even if the claim is entirely untrue.
What this means for consumers
OPay's aggressive legal response shows how seriously Nigerian fintech companies treat rumours that could shake customer confidence. For consumers, the lesson is to verify viral claims about financial institutions before acting, especially when they involve moving money.