The Nigerian chapter of the International Press Institute (IPI) has successfully secured the release of Edna Ulaeto, a journalist with OrderPaper, from the custody of the Department of State Security (DSS).
Recall that Ulaeto was arrested on October 18, 2024, following her report on a supposed DSS invasion of the National Assembly, and was released the same day after IPI Nigeria’s swift intervention.
Ulaeto had inaccurately reported that DSS operatives stormed the National Assembly in an alleged plot to impeach Senate President Godswill Akpabio. The report raised concerns from the DSS, which argued that the publication not only posed significant national security threats but also caused embarrassment both locally and internationally.
IPI in a statement released and signed by Tobi Soniyi, Legal Adviser & Head, Advocacy Committee, IPI Nigeria said that, "The DSS sought to question Ulaeto to understand the source of the misinformation and the potential motives behind it, which they believed could be aimed at destabilizing the country.
While acknowledging the DSS’s concerns, IPI Nigeria appreciates the agency’s decision to release the journalist. IPI Nigeria also stresses the critical importance of adhering to journalistic ethics and ensuring accurate reporting. In response to the incident, OrderPaper swiftly issued a retraction and public apology.
As part of its commitment to press freedom and responsible journalism, "IPI Nigeria calls on all journalists to thoroughly verify information before publication and avoid sensationalism. Accurate and truthful reporting, the institute notes, is essential for the stability and well-being of any society."
The statement added that "IPI Nigeria remains committed to defending press freedom while also encouraging journalists to uphold the highest standards of the profession."
