The Department of State Service (DSS) has withdrawn charges against OrderPaper and nine of its staff members accused of publishing false report about a supposed plot to remove Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
A DSS source confirmed the development to Premium Times on Saturday.
The source said the step taken by the DSS “goes to show that the Service is only protecting the right of Nigerians to be given factual and truthful information for the greater good of all.”
The decision by the secret police followed an apology by the respondents on their official website and other media channels, coupled with interventions on their behalf by stakeholders, the source added.
On behalf of DSS, deputy director of public prosecution A. A. Yusuf filed a six-count charge against the defendants at a Federal High Court in Abuja on October 21.
The defendants falsely published on October 16 that operatives of the DSS laid siege to the National Assembly to effect Akpabio’s impeachment.
Those sued were the Incorporated Trustee of Order Paper (on whose online platform the false information was allegedly published), Oke Epia (founder/publisher and executive director of Order Paper) and Tony Ofodile (head of operations) as first to third defendants.
Also joined as fourth and fifth defendants were Edna Ulaeto (admin/finance executive) and Elizabeth Atime (National Assembly lead reporter, author of report).
Others were Regina Udo (coordinator of programmes), Leah Twaki (social media executive), Idongesit Ekoh (admin support) and Edoesomi Omonegho (National Assembly correspondent) as sixth to ninth defendants respectively.
In count one, the prosecution accused Order Paper (Incorporated Trustee), of Suit C12, Halima Plaza, Plot 1496, Balanga Street, Area 11, Garki, Abuja, through its agents; Epia, Ofordile, Ulaeto, Atime and others at large of publishing false information via its online platform.
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 platform.
