The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), has demanded a retraction and apology from The Punch and Daily Times newspapers, over an alleged coup rumour linking the chief executive of the Commission to it.
The Commission’s Legal Counsel, Adedipe & Adedipe Legal Practitioners, in a strongly-worded letter signed by Chief Ayodeji Adedipe, SAN, demanded that The PUNCH, the Daily Times and others, that had used the story either online or in hardcopy, “retract the offensive and false publication and tender an unreserved public apology”.
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Adedipe said the report, “falsely alleged that Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, the Managing-Director of the NDDC, was arrested by military intelligence for allegedly co-sponsoring a failed coup plot against President Tinubu.
“The publication further claimed, without any factual or evidential basis, that Dr. Ogbuku transferred funds from NDDC contracts to finance an alleged coup plot.
“These allegations are entirely false, malicious, and defamatory.”
According to the letter of demand, “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 publication represents a gross violation of journalistic ethics, as no attempt was made to contact or verify the story with him or the NDDC before its release.
“This reckless and damaging report has caused Dr. Ogbuku and his family severe emotional distress, embarrassment, and reputational harm.
“Friends, associates, and colleagues have inundated him with calls expressing shock and concern over the false claims.
“Accordingly, through his legal representatives, Dr. Ogbuku has demanded the following from The Punch Newspaper and its editor, Awwal Owolabi: Immediate retraction of the defamatory publication from all their news platforms; and
“Publication of a written apology in at least four (4) national newspapers and five (5) consecutive editions of The Punch Newspaper, including all associated online and social media platforms.
“Failure to comply with these demands within seven (7) days from the receipt of the legal notice will compel Dr. Ogbuku to institute both civil and criminal proceedings against the publication and its editors, pursuant to the provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended in 2024) and other applicable laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
The NDDC reiterates its commitment to the 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 NDDC Legal Counsel added, “We therefore urge members of the public to disregard the said false report in its entirety and rely only on verified information from the Commission’s official communication channels.”
