A 19-year-old blogger, Nwanorue John Surpruchi, has been brought before the Federal High Court in Lagos over allegations of cyberstalking and defaming the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Tony Elumelu.
Surpruchi was arraigned before Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa on a four-count charge filed by the police, bordering on alleged cyberstalking, online bullying and the publication of defamatory content targeting the prominent businessman.
During proceedings on Friday, prosecution counsel A.G. Obi, representing the Directorate of Legal Services of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Alagbon, told the court that the defendant and several accomplices who remain at large allegedly circulated false claims concerning Elumelu and his family.
According to the prosecution, the publication alleged that Elumelu had separated from his wife after DNA tests purportedly revealed that none of his seven children were biologically his. The prosecution maintained that the information was false and was intentionally spread through social media platforms on or about April 5, 2026.
The court was informed that the post gained significant traction online, attracting about 1.9 million views, more than 1,600 reposts, over 6,300 likes and hundreds of saves by users.
Obi argued that the publication subjected Elumelu and his family to public ridicule, hatred, intimidation and reputational harm, adding that it generated widespread negative reactions against them.
The prosecutor further told the court that the alleged offences violated Sections 27(1)(b), 24(1)(b) and 24(2)(a) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended), as well as Sections 373 and 375 of the Criminal Code Act.
Following the reading of the charges, Surpruchi pleaded not guilty to all counts.
After the plea was entered, the prosecution indicated its readiness to proceed with the case but noted that it had only received the defendant’s bail application earlier that morning and required time to review it and file a response.
The prosecution subsequently urged the court to remand the defendant in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service pending the hearing and determination of the bail application, while also requesting a date for trial.
Defence counsel, Anslem Etoh, did not oppose the prosecution’s position and requested a short adjournment to allow the court hear the bail application.
After considering submissions from both parties, Justice Lewis-Allagoa adjourned the matter until June 19, 2026, for the hearing of the bail application.
The judge also ordered that the defendant be remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service pending the determination of his bail request.
According to the charge sheet, the police alleged that Surpruchi and others still at large conspired to use a computer network to spread false and injurious information against Elumelu, an offence punishable under the Cybercrimes Act.
The prosecution further alleged that the defendant knowingly transmitted messages through an X account identified as “@PROBLElEMCHIMKYI,” claiming that Elumelu had divorced his wife following a DNA discovery involving his children. Investigators said the information was false and was published with the intention of causing annoyance, hatred, ill will and intimidation to Elumelu and his family.
The police also accused the defendant of using a computer system and network to disseminate the claims to the public, resulting in extensive online circulation that allegedly damaged Elumelu’s reputation and exposed him to ridicule.
In the fourth count, Surpruchi was accused of publishing defamatory material concerning Elumelu and his family on the social media platform, an act the prosecution said violated provisions of the Criminal Code relating to defamation.