OPay: DSS, Police Probe Shutdown Rumour, Pursue Legal Action

• OPay is collaborating with the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Police Force to investigate false shutdown rumours.
• The fintech company firmly denies claims of ceasing operations in Nigeria, confirming it remains fully operational.
• OPay's Chief Legal Counsel stated the company is pursuing legal action against those responsible for spreading the misinformation.
• Customers have been advised by OPay's COO/CTO to verify information from official sources before making financial decisions.
• The investigation follows a viral notice from Sunday falsely claiming OPay would suspend operations from September 1, 2026.

False is false. Even though it is shared 200,000 times, it is still false information. The number of people declaring falsehood does not make falsehood to become truth. It remains falsehood, no matter what.

Fintech company OPay has initiated a joint investigation with the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force to address a widespread social media rumour. This false information claimed that the company was on the verge of shutting down its operations within Nigeria. OPay has firmly refuted these allegations, emphasizing its continued presence and commitment to the Nigerian market.

This collaborative effort to probe the OPay DSS police shutdown rumour was announced by Akinfolabi Rokosu, OPay’s Chief Legal Counsel, during a press conference held on Wednesday. The event, which was broadcast live on OPay's YouTube channel, served as a platform for the company to directly counter the misleading narrative. Rokosu confirmed that both the DSS and the police are actively involved among various law enforcement agencies investigating the origin and dissemination of the false claims, with OPay providing crucial evidence to aid in identifying the individuals responsible for spreading the misinformation.

Beyond merely refuting the claims, OPay is actively pursuing legal action against those responsible for generating and circulating the harmful misinformation. Rokosu stated that the company is taking decisive steps against individuals involved in creating and spreading the false OPay DSS police shutdown rumour. He underscored OPay's resolve to pursue these individuals and ensure the full enforcement of the law, signaling a robust stance against digital disinformation campaigns.

Furthermore, OPay issued a clear warning to anyone considering similar actions. Rokosu cautioned that any party deliberately engaging in such conduct should anticipate swift legal action and face the full consequences stipulated by law. He clarified that this assertive approach is not intended to stifle legitimate discourse but rather to protect the company's integrity and operations, stating, "Opay is not going to be silenced." This highlights the serious legal implications for those found to be propagating false information about corporate entities.

Reinforcing the company's unwavering commitment to its Nigerian operations, Dotun Adekunle, OPay’s Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technical Officer, firmly stated that OPay remains fully operational and has no intentions of shutting down. Adekunle directly addressed the circulating falsehoods, clarifying that the message did not originate from OPay and that no decision had been made by the company to cease operations or grant indefinite leave. He highlighted the discrepancy between the rumour, which claimed a September 1 shutdown, and the reality of September 2, when OPay was still actively serving its customers.

Adekunle also provided critical advice to OPay customers, urging them to exercise caution and verify information before making financial decisions based on messages found on social media or messaging platforms. He explained that the appearance of authenticity, such as copied logos or convincing document designs, does not validate false information. Adekunle stressed that a message shared thousands of times does not transform falsehood into truth, firmly stating, "False is false. Even though it is shared 200,000 times, it is still false information. The number of people declaring falsehood does not make falsehood to become truth. It remains falsehood, no matter what."

The current investigation into the OPay DSS police shutdown rumour follows a viral notice that emerged on Sunday, which falsely indicated that OPay would suspend its operations starting September 1, 2026. This notice had advised customers to withdraw their funds promptly to prevent losing access to their accounts. Prior to the recent press conference, OPay had already publicly dismissed this notice as false, advising its users to rely exclusively on its official communication channels for accurate updates.

In a related development, OPay had previously engaged directly with an X (formerly Twitter) user, @haifah-er-abba, requesting the retraction of a post she had made concerning the alleged shutdown and an accompanying apology. Checks confirm that the user subsequently deleted the offending post and issued an apology on her X handle, demonstrating a precedent for OPay's proactive approach in addressing and correcting online misinformation.

Source: Reporting based on Punch Newspapers' coverage.