United Bank for Africa (UBA) has launched a strong crackdown on misinformation after a fabricated report claiming that its Group Chairman, Tony O. Elumelu, had divorced his wife went viral on social media.
In a formal statement, the bank described the claims as “entirely fabricated, reckless, and malicious,” aimed at causing reputational damage to both the chairman and the institution. UBA emphasized that it will not tolerate such attacks on its leadership.
The bank confirmed that three individuals allegedly involved in creating and spreading the false narrative have been arrested. They are Kingsley Akunemeihe (known as @Directorkem), Chigozie Success Ihebom, and John Surpruchi Nwanorue (known as @problemchimky).
UBA’s Group Head of Brand, Marketing and Corporate Communication, Alero Ladipo, said the bank has issued a cease-and-desist notice to all parties circulating the content, demanding its immediate removal. The bank warned of both civil and criminal legal action against anyone who continues to disseminate the defamatory material.
Business Implications
The incident underscores the increasing reputational risks faced by major African corporations in the digital age. For UBA, a leading pan-African financial institution with operations in over 20 countries, protecting the personal brand of its chairman is critical to maintaining investor confidence, customer trust, and shareholder value.
Tony Elumelu is widely regarded as one of Africa’s most prominent business leaders. Any sustained negative narrative around him could potentially affect market perception of UBA Group, especially given his central role in the bank’s strategic direction and its strong brand equity across the continent.
By acting swiftly including involving law enforcement and issuing formal legal warnings — UBA is sending a clear signal of its zero-tolerance policy toward fake news and defamatory campaigns. This approach is expected to serve as a strong deterrent against future attempts to target the bank or its executives.
The bank stated that investigations are ongoing and further arrests and prosecutions are possible as authorities trace the full network behind the coordinated campaign.
