Court Remands Blogger Over Alleged Defamation of Tony Elumelu

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 Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of United Bank for Africa (UBA), Mr. Tony Elumelu.

The defendant 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 Surpruchi used a Twitter (now X) account identified as @PROBLEMCHLMKYI to circulate false information concerning Elumelu and his family.

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

The prosecutor said the publication was made on or about April 5, 2026, and was subsequently disseminated across social media platforms.

According to the prosecution, the post attracted significant public attention, generating approximately 1.9 million views, over 1,600 reposts, more than 6,300 likes and hundreds of saves.

The prosecution further alleged that the publication exposed Elumelu and his family to hatred, ill-will, intimidation, public ridicule and reputational damage.

The offences are alleged 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.

When the charges were read, the defendant pleaded not guilty.

Following the plea, the prosecutor informed the court that the defence had only recently served a bail application and requested time to file a response.

She consequently urged the court to adjourn the matter for trial and remand the defendant pending further proceedings.

Defence counsel, Anslem Etoh, informed the court that his client’s bail application was still being processed and requested a short adjournment.

Justice Lewis-Allagoa subsequently adjourned the matter until June 19, 2026, for the 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.