Blogger arraigned for cyberstalking UBA Group Chairman Tony Elumelu

By Akin Kuponiyi

The Force Criminal Investigation Department of the Nigeria Police on Friday arraigned a 19- year- old blogger, Nurenorue John Surpruchi before a Federal High Court, Lagos over alleged defamation of the Group Chairman of United Bank for Africa (UBA) plc, Mr Tony Elumelu.

Surpruchi was arraigned on a four- count charge bothering on cyberstalking, bullying and defaming the UBA chairman.

In the charges filed in court, police alleged that Surpruchi and others now at large on or about the 5th day of April, 2026, conspired amongst themselves to commit felony to with Cyberstalking by agreeing to use a computer system and network to disseminate false and injurious information against the Group Chairman of UBA, Mr. Tony Elumelu

However, the blogger pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to him.

Following the not guilty plea of the defendant, the prosecutor Barrister A.G. Obi informed the court of the prosecution readiness to proceed to trial.

She however said that she had just received a motion for bail early in the morning and would need time to study the motion and file appropriate response.

Obi said that in the circumstance, she would be asking for the remand of the defendant in the custody of the Nigeria Correctional Centre pending the hearing and determination of the bail application.

She then asked for a trial date.

In his own submission the defendant counsel, Barrister A. Edoh confirmed the position of Obi but pleaded for a short adjournment for the hearing of the bail application.

After listening to both parties, the presiding Judge, Justice Lewis Alagoa adjourned the matter till June 19, 2026, for hearing of the bail application.

He ordered the remand of the blogger in the custody of the Nigeria Correctional Centre.

See the charges filed against the defendant below:

Count one

That you, Nurenorue John Surpruchi and others now at large on or about the 5th day of April, 2026, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, did conspire amongst yourselves to commit felony to with Cyberstalking by agreeing to use a computer system and network to disseminate false and injurious information against the Executive Officer (CEO) of United Bank for Africa one Mr. Tony Elumelu and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 27(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended).

Count two

That you, Nwanorue John Surpruchi, and others now at large, on or about the 5th day of April, 2026, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, knowingly and intentionally sent and caused to be sent through a computer system via a Twitter (x) known as @ PROBLElEMCHIMKYI ( registered with your name) John Surpruchi Nwanorue and phone number 07049845280 ) a message which you knew to be false and grossly offensive and menacing character to wit: that the Chief Executive Officer, CEO of UBA Mr Tony Elumelu had divorce his wife following a DNA discovery that none of his seven children belong to him, with Intent to causing annoyance, inconvenience, insult, hatred and ill will, and criminal intimidation to him and his family . You thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 24 (1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended).

Count 3

That you, Nwanorue John Surpruchl, and others now at large, on or about the 5th day of April, 2026, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, did knowingly send and Cause to be sent through a COMPUTER SYSTEM and network, (registered with your name: John Surpruchi Nwanorue and phone number 07049845280), to wit: that Mr. Tony Elumelu had divorced his wife following a DNA discovery that none of his seven children belong to him, which information you knew to be false, and which was widely disseminated to the public, having been viewed by approximately 1.9 million persons, reposted about 1,600 times, received about 6,300 likes and saved by about 601 users, with intent to bully, threaten or harass the person of Tony Elumelu, thereby causing injury to his reputation and exposing him to public ridicule. You thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 24(2)(a) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended).

Count 4

That you, Nwanorue John Surpruchi, and others now at large, on or about the 5th day of April, 2026, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, did publish a defamatory matter concerning Mr. Tony Elumelu and his family via a Twitter platform, which publication you knew to be false and which exposed him to hatred, ridicule and contempt in the eyes of right-thinking members of the society, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Sections 373 and punishable under Section 375 of the Criminal Code Act CAP C38, Laws of the Federation, 2004.