From Kenechukwu Obiajuru, Yenagoa
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 malicious” report linking its Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, to an alleged coup plot against the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
In a strongly worded letter issued by its legal counsel, Adedipe and Adedipe Legal Practitioners, and signed by Chief Ayodeji Adedipe (SAN), the Commission described the publication as defamatory and a deliberate attempt to damage the reputation of Dr. Ogbuku and the image of the NDDC.
According to the letter, the report falsely alleged that Dr. Ogbuku was arrested by military intelligence for purportedly co-sponsoring a failed coup plot against President Bola Tinubu, and that funds from NDDC contracts were used to finance the alleged plot.
“These allegations are entirely false, malicious, and defamatory. Dr. Ogbuku has not been arrested, invited, or interrogated by any authority in connection with any alleged coup plot or financial misconduct,” Adedipe stated.
The letter further noted that the report was published without any attempt to verify the claims or contact the NDDC or its Managing Director for clarification, describing the publication as a gross breach of journalistic ethics and professional responsibility.
Adedipe said the report had caused “severe emotional distress, embarrassment, and reputational harm” to Dr. Ogbuku and his family, adding that numerous friends and associates had expressed shock over the baseless claims.
The NDDC, through its legal representatives, has therefore demanded:
1. Immediate retraction of the defamatory publication from all Punch and Daily Times platforms; and
2. Publication of a written apology in at least four national newspapers and five consecutive editions of The Punch, including all associated online and social media channels.
The Commission warned that failure to comply within seven days of receiving the legal notice would lead to both civil and criminal actions in line with the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended in 2024) and other applicable laws.
Reaffirming its commitment to peace, development, and transparency in the Niger Delta, the NDDC urged members of the public to disregard the false report and rely only on verified information from its official communication channels.
