Federal Government Initiates Legal Proceedings Against Alleged Spread of False Information on DSS Actions at National Assembly
The Federal Government has officially filed charges against nine individuals, alleging they were involved in spreading false information regarding the rumored impeachment of Senate President Godswill Akpabio. The case, referenced as FHC/ABJ/CR/555/2024, was filed on October 21 at the Federal High Court in Abuja by A. A. Yusuf, Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions.
The charges stem from an October 16 incident, during which the defendants allegedly circulated claims that the Department of State Services (DSS) had taken action at the National Assembly in connection with Akpabio’s supposed impeachment. The Federal Government has charged the defendants with violating cybercrime laws by disseminating this misinformation.
The list of defendants includes the Incorporated Trustee of Order Paper, a media organization through which the alleged information was published, along with its founder, Oke Epia, and several key staff members: Tony Okeke Ofodile, Edna Bill Ulaeto, and Elizabeth Atime. Additional defendants are staff members involved in Order Paper’s online presence and content management.
In one of the counts, the Federal Government accuses the defendants of publishing information they knew to be false, claiming the DSS had positioned itself at the National Assembly in preparation for Akpabio’s impeachment. This alleged offense contravenes Section 24(1)(a) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act 2015. Another charge suggests that the defendants made defamatory statements against the DSS and Akpabio on their platform.
At the time of this report, the case has not been assigned to a judge.
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