The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has called on The Punch and Daily Times newspapers to retract and apologise for a report falsely linking its Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, to a coup plot against President Tinubu.
In a letter signed by Chief Ayodeji Adedipe, SAN, of Adedipe and Adedipe Legal Practitioners, the Commission described the publications as “entirely false, malicious, and defamatory.”
The report allegedly claimed that Dr. Ogbuku was arrested by military intelligence for co-sponsoring a failed coup and had transferred NDDC contract funds to finance the plot.
“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 letter stated.
The legal notice demanded an immediate retraction and an unreserved apology published in at least four national newspapers and five consecutive editions of Punch, including all online and social media platforms.
The NDDC warned that failure to comply within seven days would lead to civil and criminal proceedings under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015, as amended, and other applicable Nigerian laws.
Chief Adedipe said the false report had caused Dr. Ogbuku “severe emotional distress, embarrassment, and reputational harm,” with friends and colleagues expressing shock and concern.
The NDDC urged the public to disregard the allegations and rely only on verified information from the Commission’s official communication channels.
The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to the development of the Niger Delta, the peace and stability of Nigeria, and adherence to the highest standards of transparency and accountability in public service.
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