Blogger Faces Trial For Defamation Against UBA's Tony Elumelu

Blogger Faces Trial For Defamation Against UBA’s Tony Elumelu
Defendant accused of spreading false claims about Elumelu’s family.
Case adjourned to June 19, 2026 for bail hearing.

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has ordered the remand of a blogger, Nwanorue John Surpruchi, over alleged cyberstalking and defamatory publications targeting the Chief Executive Officer of United Bank for Africa (UBA), Tony Elumelu.

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Surpruchi was arraigned by the Inspector General of Police through the Force Criminal Investigation Department (ForceCID), Annex Alagbon, Ikoyi, Lagos, before Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, cyberstalking, dissemination of false information and defamation.

According to the charge marked FHC/L/316C/2026, the prosecution alleged that the defendant used an X account identified as @PROBLEMCHLMKYI to circulate false claims about Elumelu and his family.

Prosecuting counsel, A.G. Obi, told the court that Surpruchi and others still at large allegedly published claims that Elumelu had divorced his wife after DNA tests reportedly revealed that none of his seven children belonged to him.

The prosecution said the publication was made on or about April 5, 2026, and was widely circulated across social media platforms, gaining significant public traction.

It was further alleged that the post generated about 1.9 million views, over 1,600 reposts, more than 6,300 likes, and several saves, leading to widespread attention online.

The prosecution argued that the publication subjected Elumelu and his family to public ridicule, hatred, intimidation and reputational damage.

The offences are said to contravene Sections 27(1)(b), 24(1)(b) and 24(2)(a) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended), as well as Sections 373 and 375 of the Criminal Code Act.

The defendant pleaded not guilty when the charges were read in court.

Following the plea, the prosecution informed the court that the defence had only just served a bail application and requested time to respond before the matter could proceed.

The prosecution therefore asked the court to adjourn the case for trial and remand the defendant pending further proceedings.

Defence counsel, Anslem Etoh, told the court that the bail application was still being processed and requested a short adjournment.

Court Remands Blogger Over Alleged Cyberstalking Of UBA CEO Tony Elumelu

Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa adjourned the case until June 19, 2026, for hearing of the bail application and ordered that the defendant be remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service pending the determination of the application.