Teen Blogger Remanded for Defaming UBA CEO Tony Elumelu

Nwanoru John Surpruchi, a 19-year-old blogger, was remanded by the Federal High Court in Lagos on Friday following his arraignment on four counts of cyberstalking and criminal intimidation against Tony Elumelu, the Chief Executive Officer of United Bank for Africa (UBA). The charges stem from allegations that Surpruchi published false and defamatory content on social media, claiming that Elumelu divorced his wife after discovering a DNA test revealed none of their seven children were biologically his.

The prosecution, represented by G. Obi from the Criminal Investigation Department, stated that Surpruchi knowingly transmitted messages intended to cause annoyance and harm to Elumelu and his family.

Surpruchi pleaded not guilty to the charges. During the proceedings, the defense counsel, Anslem Etoh, requested a short adjournment to allow time to review the bail application.

Justice Ambros Lewi Allagoa subsequently ordered Surpruchi to be remanded in custody and adjourned the case until June 19 for a hearing on the bail application.