United Bank for Africa on Sunday dismissed social media reports that Tony O. Elumelu had divorced his wife, describing the claims as false, malicious and defamatory. The bank said three people had been arrested in alleged connection with the incident and warned that further arrests and prosecutions could follow.
The bank identified the arrested individuals as Kingsley Akunemeihe, Chigozie Success Ihebom and John Surpruchi Nwanorue. It also issued a notice ordering anyone involved in publishing, reposting or keeping the content online to stop immediately and remove it from all platforms.
UBA said the publication and related posts were entirely fabricated and intended to mislead the public and damage the reputation of its chairman. Alero Ladipo, speaking for the bank, said the claims were a deliberate falsehood designed to mislead the public and cause reputational harm, and said investigations were ongoing. She added that the probe was expected to lead to further arrests and prosecutions of everyone involved in originating, amplifying or sustaining the campaign.
The bank said failure to comply could trigger legal proceedings, including defamation claims, injunctive relief and damages, and that it would pursue all necessary civil and criminal remedies to hold responsible parties accountable. The dispute comes after a run of online attacks and false claims targeting prominent business figures, including weekend posts that Dangote Group had already debunked after viral reports alleged a falling-out between Aliko Dangote and Elumelu.
The latest response leaves little ambiguity: UBA is treating the marriage rumor not as gossip but as a legal matter, and it says anyone still circulating it is now on notice.
