Three suspects have been arrested following a coordinated spread of false social media claims alleging that UBA Chairman Tony Elumelu had divorced his wife, prompting the bank to pursue rigorous legal action.
Three individuals have been arrested for allegedly circulating false and defamatory claims on social media regarding the marriage of Tony Elumelu, the Chairman of United Bank for Africa (UBA) Group. The suspects—Kingsley Akunemeihe, Chigozie Success Ihebom, and John Surpruchi Nwanorue—were detained after spreading reports falsely alleging that Mr. Elumelu had divorced his wife, Awele. UBA Group officially denounced the claims as entirely fabricated and designed to cause reputational harm.
In a formal statement, Alero Ladipo, UBA’s Group Head of Brand, Marketing, and Corporate Communication, emphasized that the bank is working closely with law enforcement to track the origin of the misinformation. The bank issued a strict “cease-and-desist” notice to all platforms and individuals, demanding the immediate removal of the offending content and the preservation of digital metadata for potential legal proceedings. Further arrests are expected as the investigation into the “malicious campaign” continues.
The UBA Group reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the privacy and integrity of its brand and its leadership. The institution warned that failure to comply with the removal order would result in civil and criminal litigation, including claims for damages and injunctive relief. This legal crackdown serves as a stern reminder of the consequences of spreading unverified and harmful information in the digital space.
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