Nigerian journalists are being prosecuted by the government over reports of Akpabio’s alleged impeachment, sparking concerns about press freedom.
The Federal Government has brought a six-count charge against nine defendants, accusing them of disseminating false information on October 16 that the Department of State Services (DSS) had surrounded the National Assembly due to attempts to impeach Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The case, labeled FHC/ABJ/CR/555/2024, was submitted to the Federal High Court in Abuja on October 21 by A. A. Yusuf, Deputy Director of Public Prosecution for the Federation.
The defendants include the Incorporated Trustees of Order Paper, believed to have published the alleged false information on their online platform. Also listed are Oke Epia (Founder/Publisher and Executive Director of Order Paper), Tony Okeke Ofodile (Head of Operations), Edna Bill Ulaeto (Admin/Finance Executive), and Elizabeth Atime (National Assembly lead reporter and author of the report).
The team includes Regina Udo (Coordinator of Programmes), Leah Twaki (Social Media Executive), Idongesit Joseph Ekoh (Admin Support), and Edoesomi Sharon Omonegho (National Assembly Correspondent).
The charges are detailed as follows:
– Misinformation under Section 24(1)(a) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act 2015 (amended in 2024)
Order Paper (Incorporated Trustee), located at Suit C12, Halima Plaza, Plot 1496, Balanga Street, Area 11, Garki in Abuja—along with your associates Oke Epia, Tony Okeke Ofordile, Edna Bill Ulacto and Elizabeth Atime among others—are accused of deliberately disseminating false information through your online platform on or around October 16th. The publication falsely claimed that the Department of State Services (DSS) had surrounded the National Assembly over an alleged plot to impeach the Senate President. This act is considered a violation under Section 24(1)(a) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition Prevention Etc.) Act of 2015 and is subject to penalties outlined in this section.
– Cyber defamation as outlined in Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act of 2015
It is alleged that you, Order Paper (Incorporated Trustee), located at Suit C12, Halima Plaza, Plot 1496, Balanga Street, Area 11, Garki Abuja—through your agents Oke Epia; Edna Bill Ulacto; and Elizabeth Atime—intentionally published defamatory statements about the Department of State Services and Senate President Senator Godswill Akpabio on or around October 16th, 2024. These publications were made available to the public via your online platform with intent to damage their reputations. This act constitutes an offence under Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition Prevention Etc.) Act of 2015 and is punishable accordingly.
– Defamation as outlined in Section 375 of the Criminal Code Act
Order Paper (Incorporated Trustee), located at Suit C12, Halima Plaza, Plot 1496, Balanga Street, Area 11, Garki, Abuja—through your representatives Oke Epia, Edna Bill Ulacto and Elizabeth Atime—intentionally published defamatory content on your online platform around October 16th. This publication wrongfully accused the Department of State Services of illegal activities and damaged their reputation by subjecting them to public ridicule. Such actions violate Section 375 of the Criminal Code Act.
– Defamation as defined under Section 375 of the Criminal Code Act
You, Order Paper (Incorporated Trustee), located at Suit C12, Halima Plaza, Plot 1496, Balanga Street, Area 11, Garki, Abuja—through your agents Oke Epia; Edna Bill Ulaeto; and Elizabeth Atime—are accused of knowingly publishing defamatory content on or around October 16th ,2024. This material allegedly defamed the Department of State Services by accusing them of unlawful activities and harmed Senator Godswill Akpabio’s reputation by exposing him to public ridicule. Such actions are reportedly in violation of Section 375 under the Criminal Code Act.
– Publishing False News with Intent to Cause Public Fear and Disturbance under Section 9 of the Criminal Code Act
You, Order Paper (Incorporated Trustee) of Suit C12, located at Halima Plaza, Plot 1496 Balanga Street, Area 11 in Garki Abuja, along with your agents Oke Epia, Edna Bill Ulaeto and Elizabeth Atime are accused of publishing false information on or about October 16th ,2024. It is alleged that you claimed the DSS had laid siege to the National Assembly intending to cause public fear and disturbance; an action considered a violation under Section 59 of the Criminal Code Act which carries specific penalties as outlined within this legislation.
You, Order Paper (Incorporated Trustee), located at Suit C12, Halima Plaza, Plot 1496, Balanga Street, Area 11 in Garki Abuja—through your agents Edna Bill Ulacto, Elizabeth Atime and Oke Epia—allegedly conspired on or around October 16th of the year 2024 to commit an illegal act. This involved spreading false information claiming that the Department of State Services (DSS) laid siege to the National Assembly due to plans to impeach Senate President Senator Godswill Akpabio. Such actions are contrary to Section $16(a) of the Criminal Code Act and are punishable under this section.
The arraignment date for the defendants has not yet been scheduled.
Peoplesmind
