United Bank for Africa has dismissed as “false and malicious” viral social media claims alleging that its Group Chairman, Tony O. Elumelu, has divorced his wife, warning that it will pursue civil and criminal action against those behind the posts.
In a strongly worded statement released on Sunday, the bank said it had been alerted to a “false, defamatory, and malicious publication” circulating online regarding the marital status of its chairman.
“These statements and all similar content are entirely fabricated, reckless, and without basis,” UBA said. “The claims are a deliberate falsehood designed to mislead the public and cause reputational harm.”
The bank confirmed that the matter has been escalated to law enforcement authorities, leading to the arrest of three individuals allegedly linked to the origin and spread of the claims. Those named are Kingsley Akunemeihe, who uses the handle @Directorkem; Chigozie Success Ihebom; and John Surpruchi Nwanorue, known online as @problemchimky.
“The matter has been referred to the relevant law enforcement authorities, who have commenced action,” the statement read. “Investigations are ongoing and are expected to lead to further arrests and prosecutions of all persons involved in originating, amplifying, or sustaining this defamatory campaign.”
UBA issued a direct warning to social media users, bloggers, and platforms that have shared or reposted the claims, demanding an immediate halt to further dissemination.
“This serves as a formal notice to all individuals, platforms, and entities involved in the publication, reposting, or continued dissemination of this content to immediately cease and desist,” the bank said.
It further demanded that all copies of the defamatory material be taken down and that those involved preserve records related to its spread, pending legal review.
“Failure to comply will result in the initiation of legal proceedings, including claims for defamation, injunctive relief, damages, and any other remedies available under applicable law,” UBA cautioned.
The bank reiterated its resolve to defend its corporate image and that of its chairman, stating that it would not tolerate attempts to damage reputations through deliberate misinformation.
“The UBA Group is resolute in protecting the reputation, privacy, and integrity of our brand, that of Mr. Elumelu and will pursue all necessary legal avenues — civil and criminal — to ensure that all responsible parties are identified and held accountable,” the statement added.
The statement was signed by Alero Ladipo, Group Head, Brand, Marketing and Corporate Communication, United Bank for Africa, Lagos.
This is not the first time high-profile business leaders in Nigeria have been targeted by false narratives online. In March, Dangote Group also publicly denied claims of a rift with Elumelu, describing those reports as “false and baseless.”
Cybercrime and defamation experts have repeatedly warned that the spread of unverified claims on social media carries legal consequences under the Cybercrimes Act and other Nigerian laws.
As of press time, the three suspects remain in custody as investigations continue. UBA said more arrests are likely as authorities trace the network of accounts that amplified the posts.
The bank urged the public to verify information before sharing and to rely only on official channels for statements concerning its executives and operations.
