The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has demanded an immediate retraction and public apology from The Punch and Daily Times newspapers over what it described as a false and defamatory report linking its Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, to an alleged coup plot against President Bola Tinubu.
In a strongly worded letter issued through its legal representatives, Adedipe and Adedipe Legal Practitioners, and signed by Chief Ayodeji Adedipe (SAN), the Commission accused the newspapers of publishing “malicious and unfounded allegations” that Dr. Ogbuku was arrested by military intelligence for co-sponsoring a failed coup attempt.
According to the letter, the publication also falsely claimed that Ogbuku transferred funds from NDDC contracts to finance the alleged coup, a statement the Commission described as “entirely false, malicious, and defamatory.”
“Dr. Ogbuku categorically denies these baseless claims. He has not been arrested, invited, or interrogated by any authority in connection with any alleged coup plot or financial misconduct,” the statement read.
The Commission’s counsel faulted the newspapers for failing to verify the story before publication, describing it as a “gross violation of journalistic ethics.”
Adedipe noted that the false report had caused Dr. Ogbuku severe emotional distress, embarrassment, and reputational damage, as friends, associates, and colleagues flooded him with calls expressing concern over the fabricated story.
Consequently, the NDDC Managing Director has demanded that The Punch and Daily Times take the following actions within seven days:
- Retract the defamatory publication from all print, online, and social media platforms; and
- Publish an unreserved written apology in at least four national newspapers and five consecutive editions of The Punch, including all affiliated digital platforms.
Failure to comply, the letter warned, would leave Dr. Ogbuku with no choice but to initiate civil and criminal proceedings against the publications and their editors, in line with the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended in 2024) and other applicable Nigerian laws.
Reaffirming its commitment to peace, stability, and development in the Niger Delta, the Commission urged the public to disregard the false report and rely solely on verified information from official NDDC communication channels.
“The NDDC remains dedicated to transparency, accountability, and the overall development of the Niger Delta region, the peace and stability of Nigeria, and to upholding the highest standards of transparency and accountability in public service.” the message concluded.
