The United Bank for Africa has strongly refuted a social media report alleging that its Group Chairman, Tony Elumelu, has ended his marriage, describing the circulating claim as fabricated, malicious, and intended to mislead the public while damaging reputations.
In an official reaction issued through the Group Head of Brand, Marketing and Corporate Communication, Alero Ladipo, the bank categorically dismissed the publication as “entirely fabricated, reckless, and without basis,” warning that individuals and platforms involved in spreading the allegation should stop immediately or risk legal consequences.
The institution further confirmed that the issue has been escalated to law enforcement agencies, which it says have already begun enforcement actions in response to the alleged defamation campaign. The bank also disclosed that three individuals believed to be linked to the origin and spread of the content have been apprehended.
According to the statement, those arrested include Mr. Kingsley Akunemeihe, known online as @Directorkem; Mr. Chigozie Success Ihebom; and Mr. John Surpruchi Nwanorue, also identified on social media as @problemchimky. The bank noted that investigations remain active and may lead to additional arrests depending on findings.
“UBA Group has been drawn to a false, defamatory, and malicious publication currently circulating on social media platforms, falsely alleging that the Group Chairman, Mr. Tony O. Elumelu, CFR, has divorced his wife.
“These statements and all similar content are entirely fabricated, reckless, and without basis. The claims are a deliberate falsehood designed to mislead the public and cause reputational harm.
“The matter has been referred to the relevant law enforcement authorities, who have commenced action. We confirm that three individuals directly connected to the creation and dissemination of these malicious falsehoods have been arrested, namely: Mr. Kingsley Akunemeihe (@Directorkem), Mr. Chigozie Success Ihebom and Mr. John Surpruchi Nwanorue (@problemchimky).”
UBA also issued a directive ordering all individuals and platforms sharing the disputed content to immediately delete it across all channels, while warning against further circulation of similar narratives. It added that all relevant materials—including digital records, communications, and metadata—should be preserved for possible legal proceedings.
The bank cautioned that failure to comply with its directives would result in legal action, including claims for defamation, injunctive relief, and damages under applicable laws. It reaffirmed its readiness to pursue both civil and criminal remedies against anyone found responsible.
Reiterating its stance, UBA emphasized its commitment to protecting the integrity of its leadership and corporate brand, stressing that it would not tolerate misinformation targeting its chairman or the institution.
The statement reflects growing concern among major corporations over the rapid spread of unverified claims on social media and their potential to harm reputations and public confidence.
As one of Africa’s leading financial institutions operating across multiple countries, UBA reiterated its zero-tolerance policy toward defamatory content and reaffirmed its resolve to use legal and regulatory channels to address such incidents in the digital space.
