Two Nigerians, Adebayo Aliu and Fatuntele Tunde, have been arraigned before a Federal High Court over alleged defamation and cyberstalking targeting Moniepoint Microfinance Bank.
The case, filed by the Inspector-General of Police, is currently before Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
According to court documents, the defendants are facing a seven-count charge bordering on cyberstalking and defamation. Eyes Of Lagos reports,
The charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/122/2026, was filed by a police officer, Anthony Egwu.
In one of the counts, Aliu and Tunde were accused of conspiring in January 2026 to orchestrate an online campaign aimed at damaging the reputation of Moniepoint.
Alleged Online Campaign
The prosecution alleged that the defendants created a fraudulent platform designed to generate misleading online engagement against the company.
They were said to have promised a sum of ₦500,000 to unsuspecting individuals who would post comments using the phrase “Moniepoint Scandal” and share fabricated negative experiences about the microfinance bank.
According to the police, the action was intended to incite public unrest and disrupt order.
The alleged offence is said to contravene provisions of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended in 2024) and is punishable under the law.
However, the scheduled arraignment could not proceed as the defendants and their legal representatives were absent in court.
Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia subsequently adjourned the matter until April 27, 2026, for arraignment.
The case highlights increasing concerns over cyberstalking, misinformation, and the misuse of digital platforms to damage reputations in Nigeria’s fast-growing fintech sector.
Legal experts say the outcome of the case could set a precedent for how online defamation and coordinated digital attacks are handled under Nigerian law.