Two arraigned over false claims about Elumelu’s family

The Nigeria Police Force has arraigned two social media users before the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged false and defamatory posts about businessman and Chairman of Heirs Holdings, Tony Elumelu, and his family.

The defendants, Ihebom Chigozie Success, 17, from Umuayalu Egbu in Owerri, Imo State, and Ayo Teddy Gabriel of Benin City, Edo State, were arraigned before Justice Mohammed Umar in separate cases marked FHC/ABJ/CR/249/2026 and FHC/ABJ/CR/275/2026.

According to the prosecution team, comprising Anthony Egwu, Kufreabasi Ebong and Amimu Abubakar, Ihebom allegedly published a post on his Facebook page in April 2026 claiming that Elumelu had divorced his wife after a DNA test purportedly revealed that his seven children were not biologically his.

The prosecutors alleged that the claim was false and intended to threaten, harass and damage the reputation of Elumelu and his family.

The four-count charge against the teenager includes offences under Sections 24(1)(b), 24(2)(a) and 24(2)(c) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, as amended in 2024. He was also charged under Sections 373 and 375 of the Criminal Code Act for alleged defamation.

Similarly, the prosecution alleged that Gabriel used his TikTok handle, “teddygabrielso1,” to publish a similar claim that Elumelu’s seven children were not his.

According to the prosecutors, the post was knowingly false and intended to bully, threaten, harass and expose the businessman and his family to public ridicule.

Gabriel faces four counts bordering on cyberstalking, online harassment, reputational harm and criminal defamation.

The prosecution maintained that the publications violated provisions of the Cybercrimes Act and the Criminal Code by allegedly transmitting false information capable of causing fear, damaging reputations and exposing the affected persons to hatred and contempt.

The two defendants have been remanded in custody pending the hearing and determination of their bail applications.

The police had earlier arraigned another blogger, Nurenorue John Surpruchi, before the Federal High Court in Lagos over alleged cyberstalking and defamatory posts against Elumelu.

The 19-year-old blogger was arraigned on May 29, 2026, before Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, cyberstalking, bullying and defamation.

The court remanded him and fixed June 19 for the hearing and determination of his bail application.