OPay Digital Services Limited has fired off a legal ultimatum to a social media user behind a viral post that falsely claimed the fintech company was about to proceed on an indefinite break, warning that failure to comply before the end of today would trigger immediate legal proceedings.
The company, through its Chief Legal Counsel Akinfolabi Moses Rokosu, issued the demand on Monday, targeting the X account @haifah_er_abba over a publication made on Sunday, which alleged that OPay would be shutting down operations for a long period and urged customers to urgently remove their funds from accounts maintained with the company.
According to the notice, the publication was described as “false, malicious, unlawful, libellous, defamatory and lacks any factual, legal or ethical basis whatsoever.”
The company stated that the post was made with the aim of bringing the brand to disrepute and misleading the public about its operational status.
The legal team further noted that “the said publication constitutes an infringement to our company’s right and have caused reputational and commercial damage to our brand, and harm to our business operations,” pointing to the consequences that such misinformation can have on customer confidence and the company’s bottom line.
The ultimatum, which gives the user until 11:59 PM WAT today, demands the permanent deletion of the offending post, a clear and unequivocal retraction, and an unreserved apology tendered to the company.
“You are hereby required to permanently delete and desist from disseminating or further publicising the said publication from your X account or any other platform before 11:59 PM WAT today, issue a clear and unequivocal retraction of the said publication, and forthwith, tender an unreserved apology to us,” the notice read in part.
The company also warned of serious consequences should the user fail to comply, stating that “your action has caused irreparable damage to us and we shall take all appropriate legal action against you and shall pursue all remedies available to us.”
OPay has since moved to reassure its customers that the company remains fully operational and that the viral post should be completely disregarded, urging users to always verify official announcements through its authenticated communication channels.
The company has reiterated its commitment to holding individuals accountable for spreading false information that could destabilise the financial ecosystem, emphasising that the safety of customer funds and the integrity of its services remain top priorities.
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