Police Arraign Two Social Media Users Over Alleged False Posts About Elumelu’s Family

The Police have arraigned two social media users before an Abuja division of the Federal High Court for allegedly spreading false and defamatory claims about Nigerian businessman and Chairman of Heirs Holdings, Tony Elumelu, and his family.

The defendants, Ihebom Chigozie Success, 17, of Umuayalu Egbu, Owerri, Imo State, and Ayo Teddy Gabriel of Benin City, Edo State, were arraigned before Justice Mohammed Umar.

They were arraigned in separate charges marked FHC/ABJ/CR/249/2026 and FHC/ABJ/CR/275/2026 respectively.

Allegations in the charges

Prosecutors Anthony Egwu, Kufreabasi Ebong, and Amimu Abubakar alleged that Ihebom published a post on his Facebook page in April 2026 claiming that Elumelu had divorced his wife after DNA tests allegedly showed that his seven children were not biologically his.

The prosecutors alleged the statement was false and was intended to threaten, harass, and damage the reputation of Elumelu and his family.

The four-count charge against the teenager lists offences under Sections 24(1)(b), 24(2)(a), and 24(2)(c) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, as amended in 2024.

He is also charged under Sections 373 and 375 of the Criminal Code Act for alleged defamation.

Prosecutors also alleged that Gabriel used his TikTok handle, “teddygabrielso1,” to publish a similar claim stating that Elumelu’s seven children were not his.

The prosecutors contended the post was knowingly false and was intended to bully, threaten, harass, and expose the businessman and his family to public ridicule.

Gabriel faces four counts similar to those preferred against Ihebom, including charges relating to cyberstalking, online harassment, reputational harm, and criminal defamation.

The prosecutors maintained that the publications violated provisions of the Cybercrimes Act and the Criminal Code by allegedly transmitting false information capable of causing fear, damaging reputations, and exposing the affected persons to hatred and contempt.

Court proceedings

The defendants have been remanded pending the hearing and determination of their bail applications.

Count one and four against each defendant, as presented in court, allege that in April 2026 the defendants knowingly published false posts on Facebook and TikTok about Elumelu’s marriage and paternity of his children.

The charges state the posts were made with the intention of posing threats and exposing Elumelu and his family to hatred, contempt, and ridicule, contrary to Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes Act 2015 as amended in 2024, and Sections 373 and 375 of the Criminal Code Act.

The Police had previously arraigned blogger Nurenorue John Surpruchi before a Federal High Court in Lagos over alleged cyberstalking and defamatory posts against the Chairman of United Bank for Africa, Tony Elumelu.

The 19-year-old blogger was arraigned on May 29, 2026, before Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa on a four-count charge of conspiracy, cyberstalking, bullying, and defamation.

The court remanded him and fixed June 19 for hearing and determination of his bail application.

The cases continue before the respective courts.