The Nigerian government has initiated legal proceedings against nine individuals, including journalists and members of a media organization, accusing them of disseminating false information related to a purported siege on the National Assembly.
Among the defendants is the Incorporated Trustee of Order Paper, along with its key personnel, who face multiple charges stemming from a report published on October 16, 2024. This report claimed that the Department of State Services (DSS) was implicated in a scheme to impeach Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
These allegations, cataloged as FHC/ABJ/CR/555/2024, were officially lodged at the Federal High Court in Abuja on October 21 by A. A. Yusuf, the Deputy Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation.
The individuals named in the charges include Oke Epia, the founder and Executive Director of Order Paper, alongside colleagues Tony Okeke Ofodile, Edna Bill Ulaeto, and Elizabeth Atime.
The government’s charges assert that the publication in question was knowingly misleading, aimed at damaging the reputations of both the DSS and the Senate President. The indictment specifies, “You, Order Paper (Incorporated Trustee), through your agents, on or about October 16, 2024, knowingly published false information via your online platform, alleging that the DSS laid siege to the National Assembly over plans to impeach the Senate President, which you were aware was false.”
Furthermore, the defendants face allegations of cyber defamation under Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes Act. This statute indicates, “You, Order Paper (Incorporated Trustee), intentionally published defamatory statements concerning the DSS and the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, on your online platform, intending to damage their reputations.”
Additional charges include defamation under Section 375 of the Criminal Code Act, asserting that the publication subjected the DSS to public contempt. The indictment states, “You knowingly published defamatory material on your online platform, accusing the DSS of unlawful actions, thereby injuring their reputation.”
Moreover, the defendants are accused of publishing false news intended to incite public fear, as outlined in Section 59 of the Criminal Code Act. The document alleges, “You, Order Paper (Incorporated Trustee), published false information on your platform, claiming that the DSS had besieged the National Assembly, with the intent to instigate public fear and unrest.”
The prosecution also alleges conspiracy under Section 16(a) of the Criminal Code Act, asserting that the defendants colluded to spread falsehoods. The charge sheet contends, “You conspired among yourselves to engage in an unlawful act, namely: the dissemination of false information regarding the DSS allegedly besieging the National Assembly.”
As of now, no arraignment date for the defendants has been established.
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