The Police have arraigned two women before the Federal High Court in Lagos over allegations that they conspired to circulate a false publication claiming that Access Bank Plc would shut down its operations from September 23, 2026.

The defendants, Idorenyin Samuel Umoh and Fineness Monday Esu, were arraigned on a three count charge filed by the Police prosecuting counsel, Stanley Nwafoaku, from the Directorate of Legal Services, Federal Criminal Investigation Department, Alagbon, Ikoyi, Lagos.

The prosecution alleged that the defendants, on or about July 28, 2026, conspired with others now at large to knowingly transmit a false publication through computer systems and networks concerning Access Bank.

According to the charge, the publication claimed that the bank would shut down its operations from September 23 and urged customers to close their accounts and withdraw their funds.

The Police alleged that the publication was transmitted through Facebook and WhatsApp and was intended to cause a breakdown of law and order.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to the three counts.

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

However, counsel representing 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 case until November 25, 2026, for trial.

The judge also indicated that the bail application, once filed, would be given expeditious hearing.

In the first count, the Police charged the defendants with conspiracy to knowingly transmit and cause the transmission of a false publication concerning Access Bank through computer systems and networks, contrary to Section 27(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015, as amended in 2024.

The second count alleged that the defendants knowingly and intentionally sent and caused the transmission through Facebook and WhatsApp of a publication they knew to be false, claiming that Access Bank was shutting down its banking operations and urging customers to close their accounts and withdraw their funds.

The third count alleged that the defendants knowingly published or reproduced a false statement, rumour or report concerning the bank’s operations, which the Police said was likely to cause fear and alarm among the public and disturb public peace.

The third charge was brought under Section 59(1) of the Criminal Code Act, Cap. C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

The case is before the Federal High Court in Lagos under charge number FHC/L/CR/773/2026.