I-G files criminal charge against 2 for allegedly defaming Moniepoint

The Inspector-General (I-G) of Police has filed a criminal charge against two suspects, Adebayo Aliu and Fatuntele Tunde, for allegedly defaming a Microfinance company , Moniepoint.

The I-G, in the charge filed before Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia of the Federal High Court in Abuja, preferred a seven count bordering on cyberstalking against the defendants.

Their arraignment scheduled for Tuesday could not proceed due to the absence of the defendants in court.

Our correspondent observes that neither the defendants nor their lawyer was in court.

Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia consequently adjourned the matter until April 27 for arraignment.

The charge, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/122/2026, was filed by Anthony Egwu, a police officer.

In count one, Aliu and Tunde were alleged to have, sometime in January 2026, conspired, aided and abetted each other to cyberstalk Moniepoint Microfinance Bank by creating a fraudulent platform to solicit online tumultuous engagement.

They were alleged to have promised the sum of N500,000 to unsuspecting victim who would comment with the phrase “Moniepoint Scandal” and share any imaginary scandalous experience regarding Moniepoint MFB, for the purpose of causing a breakdown of law and order.

The police said the offence is contrary to Section 27(2)(b) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention etc) Act, 2015 (as amended) in 2024 and punishable under Section 24(1)(b) of the same Act.