Akpabio impeachment rumour: FG sues media outlet, journalists – Newstrends
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Akpabio impeachment rumour: FG sues media outlet, journalists

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Senate President, Godswill Akpabio

Akpabio impeachment rumour: FG sues media outlet, journalists

The Federal Government has instituted a legal action against the media outlet and journalists behind a report alleging impeachment plot against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.

The government filed a six-count charge against  nine defendants over the publication which it described as unfounded and spurious.

According to the suit, the defendant allegedly published false information on October 16 that the Department of State Services, DSS, laid siege to the National Assembly over moves to impeach Akpabio.

The charge, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/555/2024 was filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja on October 21 by the Deputy Director, Public Prosecution of the Federation, A. A. Yusuf.

Listed as defendants are the Incorporated Trustees of Order Paper (on whose online platform the alleged false information was allegedly published), 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, author of the report).

Others are Regina Udo (Coordinator of Programmes), Leah Twaki (Social Media Executive), Idongesit Joseph Ekoh (Admin Support) and Edoesomi Sharon Omonegho (National Assembly correspondent).

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 Ulaeto, 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.

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– 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 Ulaeto, 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 reputation 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 Ulaeto, 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.”

No date has been set for the arraignment of the defendants.

 

Akpabio impeachment rumour: FG sues media outlet, journalists

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EndBadGovernance: Borno minors still in detention, defence lawyer cries out

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#EndBadGovernance: Borno minors still in detention, defence lawyer cries out

Three minors in Borno State, detained for allegedly participating in the #EndBadGovernance protests, remain in custody despite a recent directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for their release.

While President Tinubu’s order, issued three days ago, led to the release of detained minors in Abuja, the minors in Borno remain held in a juvenile facility in Maiduguri. Barrister Yakubu Alhaji Adamu, their defense lawyer, confirmed they are still detained due to a court order.

Initially, the minors appeared before Justice Aisha Mohammed Ali at the State High Court 10 in Maiduguri, where they entered pleas of not guilty.

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The judge ordered their remand in the juvenile facility, scheduling the next hearing for November 18, 2024.

Salamtu Idrisa from the Public Prosecutions Office in the Borno State Ministry of Justice noted they had not received formal communication about the minors’ release. “If there is any update on their release, we will be informed,” she stated.

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Kaduna Govt offers N100,000, smartphones to released minors

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Governor Uba Sani and the released protesters

Kaduna Govt offers N100,000, smartphones to released minors

Thirty-nine minors from Kaduna State, previously detained by the federal government, were reunited with their families on Wednesday at a ceremony held at the “Children’s Homes” on Katuru Road in Kaduna. Each child received N100,000 and an Itel A18s smartphone to support their reintegration process.

Governor Uba Sani, represented by Dr. Abdulkadir Muazu Meyere, Secretary to the Kaduna State Government, assured the children of continued support from the state to aid their transition back into society.

He emphasized the administration’s dedication to helping these minors become responsible, law-abiding citizens through rehabilitation and empowerment initiatives.

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Meyere announced that the governor had instructed the collection of educational credentials from those who completed tertiary studies. The government plans to offer assistance such as start-up capital, skills training, and potential employment opportunities.

He noted that the government would monitor each child’s behaviour and provide further support based on their conduct.

For proper follow-up, contact information, including addresses, phone numbers, and next-of-kin details, was recorded for each minor to ensure ongoing support and guidance.

Kaduna Govt offers N100,000, smartphones to released minors

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Reality star Soma’s ex-girlfriend says he’s a bully

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Reality star Soma’s ex-girlfriend says he’s a bully

Hilda Dirisu, the ex-girlfriend of reality star Somadina Anyama, has publicly shared the disturbing details of her relationship with the reality TV personality, revealing incidents of abuse and harassment.

Hilda’s allegations come after rumors surfaced that she was responsible for causing a rift between Soma and his fellow Big Brother Naija contestant, Angel Smith, following their decision to unfollow each other on social media.

In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), Hilda recounted the emotional and physical abuse she allegedly endured while dating Soma.

She explained that the duo had stopped communicating in July, but claimed that Soma continued to stalk her and beg for reconciliation.

Hilda went on to accuse him of hitting her head against a wall, physically roughing her up, and smashing her phone, leaving her with bruises on her lips.

“I stopped talking to him in July, but he wouldn’t let go. He stalked me and begged me to get back with him. It didn’t stop there—he also drugged me, hit me, tied me up, and even smashed my phone,” Hilda wrote in part.

She also revealed that Soma’s actions instilled a deep sense of fear in her, which she carried throughout the course of their relationship.

In addition to speaking out about the abuse, Hilda discussed the involvement of Soma’s mother in their tumultuous relationship.

She claimed that Soma’s mother had harassed her and even intervened in July when Hilda shared her struggles publicly, with the reality star’s mother allegedly calling her and issuing a stern warning.

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Further fueling the controversy, Hilda addressed accusations that she had stolen a bracelet, a claim that had circulated online.

She urged fans to direct any questions regarding the matter to Soma himself, suggesting that he was the one responsible for the rumors.

These revelations come in the wake of speculation in 2023 that Soma and Angel Smith had parted ways.

Netizens Reactions…

@ujhairplanet_beautyaccessories said: “Watched him and Angel on big brother whatever you said he did he did it . Big brother and many other viewers saw it too.”

@she_is_toni said: “I believe everything cos he exhibited the signs.”

@hello.lianah said: “I thought we all saw this happening during that their bbn??”

@twinkleemami said: “I believe this lady!!!

@Merald__Ayomi said: “So Soma had Angel and was still forcing himself on you?? Omooo.” @TokyosBite: “So sorry you had to go through this.”

@DeewayBoy said: “Na here e dey happen.I don mount.”

@Abbietrends said: “Ah really ? Same soma . Ehn Ehn.”

See below;

Reality star Soma’s ex-girlfriend says he’s a bully

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