The United Bank for Africa (UBA) Group has debunked a viral report claiming that its Group Chairman, Tony Elumelu, has divorced his wife, describing the publication as entirely false, misleading, and malicious.
In a statement, the pan-African financial institution said the report, widely circulated on social media, was fabricated and falsely attributed to The Guardian, noting that the reputable newspaper did not publish such a story.
UBA accused the perpetrators of orchestrating a deliberate attempt to tarnish the image and personal life of its chairman, warning that such actions would not go unpunished.
The bank revealed that the matter had been escalated to law enforcement agencies, which have since launched an investigation into the origin and spread of the false report.
According to the bank, three individuals allegedly connected to the creation and dissemination of the content have already been arrested.
They were identified as Kingsley Akunemeihe, also known as @Directorkem; Chigozie Success Ihebom; and John Surpruchi Nwanorue, known as @problemchimky.
UBA added that investigations remain ongoing, with the possibility of more arrests as authorities widen their probe into the network behind the publication.
However, the bank issued a stern warning to bloggers, social media users, and platforms involved in sharing the report, directing them to immediately take down the content.
It further instructed those concerned to refrain from reposting similar claims and to preserve all related materials, including digital communications and metadata, ahead of potential legal proceedings.
The bank warned that failure to comply would attract serious legal consequences, including lawsuits for defamation, damages, and other remedies available under the law.
Reaffirming its stance, UBA stressed its commitment to protecting the reputation, privacy, and integrity of both its brand and its chairman, vowing to pursue all legal avenues to ensure that those responsible are held accountable