…Confirms Arrest Of Three Suspects

The management of the United Bank for Africa has dismissed as false and malicious reports circulating on social media alleging that its Group Chairman, Tony O. Elumelu, has divorced his wife, describing the claims as fabricated attempts to damage his reputation and that of the financial institution.

In a statement issued on Sunday, by the Group Head, Brand, Marketing and Corporate Communication, Mrs Alero Ladipo, the bank said the publication and similar online content were entirely baseless, defamatory and intentionally designed to mislead members of the public.

UBA stressed that neither the reports nor the insinuations being spread across digital platforms had any factual foundation, insisting that the allegations were part of a coordinated misinformation campaign targeted at the prominent businessman and the bank’s brand image.

According to the statement, the matter has already been referred to relevant law enforcement authorities, who have commenced investigations and enforcement actions against individuals linked to the alleged defamatory publication.

The bank confirmed that three suspects connected to the creation and dissemination of the false claims have been arrested. Those identified by the bank are Mr Kingsley Akunemeihe, popularly known online as @Directorkem, Mr Chigozie Success Ihebom, and Mr John Surpruchi Nwanorue, also known as @problemchimky.

“The attention of 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).

“Investigations are ongoing and are expected to lead to further arrests and prosecutions of all persons involved in originating, amplifying, or sustaining this defamatory campaign.

“This serves as a formal notice to all individuals, platforms, and entities involved in the publication, reposting, or continued dissemination of this content to immediately cease and desist.

“All such parties are hereby required to:

 Remove the offending publication from all platforms immediately

 Refrain from any further publication or amplification of similar false content

 Preserve all records, including digital footprints, communications, and metadata relating to the creation and dissemination of the publication, pending further legal action


“Failure to comply will result in the initiation of legal proceedings, including claims for defamation, injunctive relief, damages, and any other remedies available under applicable law.

“The UBA Group is resolute in protecting the reputation, privacy, and integrity of our brand, that of Mr. Elumelu and will pursue all necessary legal avenues — civil and criminal — to ensure that all responsible parties are identified and held accountable.

United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA) has reinforced its commitment to deepening collaboration between banks and fintechs across Africa, following the successful hosting of its inaugural Fintech Conference themed “Navigating Regulatory Milestones: The Future of Bank–Fintech Partnerships.”

The conference convened more than 20 leading fintechs and ecosystem stakeholders, including PalmPay, OPay, PayAza, Mastercard, Visa, Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System, and representatives of the Central Bank of Nigeria. Discussions focused on regulation, innovation, security, and the evolution of payments across the continent.

Opening the event, UBA’s Executive Director, Digital Banking, Emmanuel Lamptey, called for a shift from competition to deliberate partnership.

Head, Operational Risk Management, Lateef Busari; Chief Information Officer, Onyebuchi Akosa; Executive Director, Digital Banking, Emmanuel Lamptey; Founder, CEO, Payaza, Seyi Ebenezer; Team Lead, Pos Services, Mary Nneoma James and Head of Partnership, Palm Pay, Chibuzor Mela during the maiden Fintech Conference: themed, “Navigating Regulatory Milestones: The Future of Bank-Fintech Partnerships at the UBA House, Marina on Tuesday”

“The future is not banks versus fintechs, but banks with fintechs. When we combine scale, trust, and regulatory depth with innovation and agility, we unlock a financial system that works for far more Africans.”

From an industry perspective, Peter Ehizogie of Mastercard pointed to Nigeria’s payments evolution as both a catalyst and a caution.

“Each wave of innovation—instant payments, cards, gateways, and now AI—has expanded opportunity while introducing new risks. Collaboration is what ensures progress is sustained, not disrupted.”

Echoing this, Seyi Ebenezer, the Chief Executive Officer, PayAza, emphasized urgency around ecosystem integration.

“Collaboration is no longer optional. The priority now is speed—how quickly we can remove the barriers between fintechs and banks to unlock scale.”

UBA also highlighted its own execution, with Head of Mobile Banking, Gideon Iheama, outlining advancements in Leo, the bank’s AI-powered assistant. The platform now supports conversational transactions, including transfers of up to ₦5 million and foreign currency operations, reflecting increased customer adoption and investment in intelligent banking infrastructure.

Closing the conference, UBA’s Head of Digital Banking Sales, Shamsideen Fashola, underscored the growing importance of cybersecurity in an AI-driven ecosystem.

“Cybersecurity is now AI versus AI. As institutions innovate to improve customer experience, they must invest just as aggressively in defending against evolving threats.”

The conference concluded with a unified call for sustained collaboration as the primary lever for scaling financial inclusion, strengthening resilience, and unlocking long-term growth across Africa’s financial ecosystem.

United Bank for Africa is one of the largest employers in the financial sector on the African continent, with 25,000 employees group-wide and serving over 45 million customers globally. Operating in twenty African countries, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, France and the United Arab Emirates, UBA provides retail, commercial and institutional banking services, leading financial inclusion and implementing cutting-edge technology.

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission have arrested a former chairman of defunct Skye Bank Plc, Tunde Ayeni, over alleged money laundering, misappropriation and diversion of funds amounting to N36.54bn and $30m.

Ayeni, a businessman, was arrested in Abuja on Thursday, and is currently being held at the commission’s facility.

The arrest followed an EFCC probe into alleged misappropriation and diversion of funds said to have been obtained from Polaris Bank through multiple entities linked to him.

“Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested a former board chairman of defunct Skye Bank Plc and businessman, Tunde Ayeni, in connection with alleged money laundering, misappropriation and diversion of funds to the tune of N36,540,058,400.00 and $30m.

“Ayeni was arrested sequel to the investigation of the EFCC into alleged misappropriation and diversion of funds to the tune of N36,540,058,400.00 and $30m obtained from Polaris Bank Plc by different entities linked to him.

“The funds were loans obtained allegedly for specific investment projects but subsequently transferred to other entities’ accounts. Investigations showed that, though the loans were obtained for purposes such as finance of marine security activities, electricity distribution contract, estate development, they were diverted to the NITEL/MTEL asset acquisition through NATCOM account,” one of the sources said.

Another source said the commission is currently probing 12 companies allegedly linked to Ayeni, which it said were used to obtain the loans from Polaris Bank.

“Twelve different companies linked to Ayeni are being investigated by the EFCC. They are entities he allegedly used to obtain loans from Polaris Bank for his shady activities. The loans are depositors’ funds fraudulently obtained and frittered into diverse wasteful purposes. Ayeni will be arraigned in due course upon conclusion of investigations,” the source said.

When contacted, EFCC spokesman Dele Oyewale confirmed the arrest but declined to give further details.