The Federal Government has charged nine individuals and an online news platform with disseminating false information, defamation, and inciting public fear over a report claiming the Department of State Services (DSS) had besieged the National Assembly to facilitate the impeachment of Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The alleged incident was reported to have taken place on October 16, 2024. However, the government contends the information was false and defamatory.
The Federal High Court in Abuja received the case, numbered FHC/ABJ/CR/555/2024, on October 21. The charges were filed by A. A. Yusuf, the Deputy Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation.
The nine defendants include:
– The Incorporated Trustee of Order Paper, the platform that allegedly published the false report
– Oke Epia, founder/publisher and Executive Director
– Tony Okeke Ofodile, Head of Operations
– Edna Bill Ulaeto, Admin/Finance Executive
– Elizabeth Atime, National Assembly lead reporter and author of the report
– Regina Udo, Coordinator of Programmes
– Leah Twaki, Social Media Executive
– Idongesit Joseph Ekoh, Admin Support
– Edoesomi Sharon Omonegho, National Assembly correspondent
The six-count charge alleges offenses under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act 2015 and the Criminal Code Act. The charges include publishing false information, cyber defamation, defamation, publication of false news with intent to cause public fear and disturbance, and conspiracy to commit an illegal act.
Counts in the charge read as follows:
False information under Section 24(1)(a) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act 2015 (as amended 2024).
That you, Order Paper (Incorporated Trustee), of Suit C12, Halima Plaza, Plot 1496, Balanga Street, Area 11, Garki, Abuja, through your agents, Oke Epia, Tony Okeke Ofordile, Edna Bill Ulacto, and Elizabeth Atime, and others at large on or about the 16th of October 2024 knowingly published false information via your online platform, alleging that the Department of State Services (DSS) laid siege to the National Assembly over plans to impeach the Senate President, which you knew to be false, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 24(1)(a) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act 2015 and punishable under the same section.
Cyber Defamation under Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act 2015)
That you, Order Paper (Incorporated Trustee), of Suit C12, Halima Plaza, Plot 1496, Balanga Street, Area 11, Garki, Abuja, through your agents, Oke Epia, Edna Bill Ulacto, and Elizabeth Atime, on or about the 16th of October 2024, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court intentionally published defamatory statements regarding the Department of State Services and the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, on your online platform, which ‘was accessible to the public, with the intent to harm their reputations, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 24(1)b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act 2015 and punishable under the same section.
Defamation under Section 375 of the Criminal Code Act),
That you, Order Paper (Incorporated Trustee), of Suit C12, Halima Plaza, Plot 1496, Balanga Street, Area 11, Garki, Abuja, through your agents, Oke Epia, Edna Bill Ulacto, and Elizabeth Atime, on or about the 16th of October 2024 knowingly published defamatory material on your online platform, accusing the Department of State Services of unlawful actions, thereby injuring the reputation of the Department of State Services, bringing them into public ridicule, an offence contrary to Section 375 of the Criminal Code Act.
Defamation under Section 375 of the Criminal Code Act.
That you, Order Paper (Incorporated Trustee), of Suit C12, Halima Plaza, Plot 1496, Balanga Street, Area 11, Garki, Abuja, through your agents, Oke Epia, Edna Bill Ulaeto, and Elizabeth Atime, on or about the 16th of October 2024 knowingly published defamatory material on your online platform, accusing the Department of State Services of unlawful actions, thereby injuring the reputations of Senator Godswill Akpabio, bringing them into public ridicule, an offence contrary to Section 375 of the Criminal Code Act.
Publication of False News with Intent to Cause Public Fear and Disturbance under Section $9 of the Criminal Code Act.
That you, Order Paper (Incorporated Trustee) of Suit C12, Halima Plaza, Plot 1496, Balanga Street, Area 11, Garki, Abuja, through your agents, Oke Epia, Edna Bill Ulaeto, and Elizabeth Atime, on or about the 16th of October 2024 with the intent to cause public fear and disturbance, published false information on your platform alleging that the DSS laid siege to the National Assembly, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 59 of the Criminal Code Act and punishable under the same Act.
That you, Order Paper (Incorporated Trustee), of Suit C12, Halima Plaza, Plot 1496, Balanga Street, Area 11, Garki, Abuja, through your agents Edna Bill Ulacto, Elizabeth Atime, and Oke Epia, on or about the 16th of October 2024 conspired among yourselves to commit an illegal act, to wit: the dissemination of false information regarding the Department of State Services (DSS) allegedly laying siege to the National Assembly over plans to impeach the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, an offence contrary to Section $16(a) of the Criminal Code Act and punishable under the same section.
A date for the defendants’ arraignment has not yet been scheduled.