Blogger Remanded Over Alleged Defamatory Posts Against Tony Elumelu

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

It was reported that 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 said that Surpruchi utilized an appearance 𝕏 account named as @PROBLEMCHLMKYI to distribute false material concerning Elumelu and his family.

Prosecuting counsel, A.G. Obi, told the court that the defendant and those still at large reportedly circulated statements that Elumelu divorced his wife after DNA tests apparently indicated that none of his seven children belonged to him.

The prosecution claimed the publication was made on or about April 5, 2026, and was thereafter spread throughout social media platforms.

According to the prosecution, the post received enormous public interest, collecting nearly 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 breach 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 pled not guilty.

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

She accordingly persuaded the court to defer the matter for trial and remand the defendant awaiting further procedures.

Defence counsel, Anslem Etoh, informed the court that his client’s bail application was still being processed and asked 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 awaiting the conclusion of the motion.