Access Bank shutdown rumour: Two women arraigned in Lagos court
By Aboki Forex —
Two women 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.
Idorenyin Samuel Umoh and Fineness Monday Esu were brought before Justice Akintayo Aluko by the Force Criminal Investigation Department, Alagbon Annex, Ikoyi, on a three-count charge marked FHC/L/CR/773/2026.
What the prosecution alleges
The prosecution told the court that the two women conspired with other persons who are currently at large to transmit false information about 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 allegedly 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 said the women knowingly and intentionally circulated the information in circumstances capable of causing fear and disrupting public order.
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.
After their pleas, Nwafoaku asked the court to remand them in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service pending trial. Their lawyer opposed the request and made an oral bail application.
Justice Aluko 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.
The OPay case that came before it
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.
That message also urged customers to withdraw their money. OPay publicly dismissed the notice as false and confirmed that its services would continue. The company later said the police and the 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.
What it means for depositors
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.
Access Bank Plc has already reassured customers that it is financially strong and fully operational after the false reports. The lender described the viral message as fake and urged customers and the general public to ignore the misinformation and rely only on updates released through its official communication channels.