UBA Arrests Three Influencers Over Fake Tony Elumelu Divorce Rumours

Three social media influencers are in police custody after spreading false claims that Tony Elumelu, chairman of UBA Group, has divorced his wife, Awele Elumelu. The bank confirmed the arrests on Sunday and is now pushing for criminal prosecution.

The suspects

Premium Times identified the three individuals as Kingsley Akunemeihe (known online as @Directorkem), Chigozie Success Ihebom, and John Surpruchi Nwanorue (known as @problemchimky). According to UBA, investigations are still ongoing and may lead to further arrests.

The bank’s Group Head of Brand, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Alero Ladipo, issued a formal statement describing the viral posts as “false, defamatory, and malicious.” She said the content was fabricated to drive social media engagement and traction on the suspects’ accounts.

UBA’s response

UBA took the unusual step of issuing a cease-and-desist notice to every individual and platform that shared the claim, ordering them to remove the content immediately, stop further sharing, and preserve all digital communications as evidence for possible legal action.

“The UBA Group is resolute in protecting the reputation, privacy, and integrity of our brand and 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 bank said in its statement.

The statement added that Elumelu and his wife Awele remain a “cornerstone of the UBA brand” and that the divorce claims were entirely without basis.

Why it matters

The arrests are a blunt signal from one of Nigeria’s biggest banking groups: spread misinformation about its executives and expect police at your door. It is one of the more aggressive corporate responses to social media disinformation seen in Nigeria, and it comes as UBA — with over 35 million customers across 24 countries — has grown increasingly protective of its public image. The case is likely to discourage similar campaigns targeting other corporate figures.

Sources: Pulse Nigeria, Premium Times, The Sun Nigeria, BusinessPost