A 19-year-old blogger, Nurenorue John Surpruchi, was arraigned before a Federal High Court in Lagos on Friday for allegedly cyberstalking and defaming Tony Elumelu, the Group Chairman of United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc.
Surpruchi faces a four-count charge bordering on cyberstalking, bullying, and defamation.
According to the police, Surpruchi and others currently at large conspired on or about April 5, 2026, to use a computer system and network to spread false and damaging information about the UBA chief.
The blogger pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Following his plea, prosecution counsel A.G. Obi stated that the state was ready for trial.
She, however, requested time to review and respond to a bail application served by the defence earlier that morning.
Prosecutor Obi asked the court to remand the teenager at a Nigerian Correctional Service facility until his bail application is heard and decided.
She also requested a formal start date for the trial.
Defense counsel Mr. A. Edoh agreed with the prosecution’s schedule but begged the court for a quick turnaround on the bail hearing.
Justice Lewis Alagoa ordered the blogger remanded in prison custody and adjourned the case until June 19, 2026, to hear the bail application.
Here are the four-count charge filed against the defendant by the Force Criminal Investigation Department of the Nigeria Police:
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.”
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