Akpabio’s impeachment rumour: FG files charges against online platform publisher, reporters, others

For allegedly disseminating false information about the recent impeachment of Senate President Godswil Akpabio, nine defendants, including publishers of online platforms, are now facing a six-count charge at a Federal High Court, Abuja.

The Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Mr. A. A. Yusuf, filed the charge against them, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/555/2024, at a Federal High Court in Abuja on October 21.

According to Persecondnews, the defendants disseminated false information on October 16, alleging that the Department of State Services (DSS) besieged the National Assembly with the intention of impeaching Akpabio.

The government filed a lawsuit against Oke Epia (Founder/Publisher and Executive Director of Order Paper), Tony Okeke Ofodile (Head of Operations), and the Incorporated Trustee of Order Paper, whose online platform allegedly published the false information.

Edna Bill Ulaeto (Admin/Finance Executive) and Elizabeth Atime (National Assembly lead reporter, author of report) were also joined as fourth and fifth defendants.

Others were Regina Udo (Coordinator of Programmes), Leah Twaki (Social Media Executive), Idongesit Joseph Ekoh (Admin Support), and Edoesomi Sharon Omonegho (National Assembly correspondent) as sixth to ninth defendants, respectively.

In count one, the prosecution accused the Order Paper (Incorporated Trustee), of Suit C12, Halima Plaza, Plot 1496, Balanga Street, Area 11, Garki, Abuja, through its agents, Oke Epia, Tony Okeke Ofordile, Edna Bill Ulacto, and Elizabeth Atime, and others at large, of publishing false information via its online platform.

They were said to have on or about October 16 alleged that “the 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.”

The defendants and others at large, in count two, were alleged to have intentionally published defamatory statements regarding the DSS and Akpabio on their online platforms.

The case is yet to be assigned to a judge as of the time of filing the report.