The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has demanded an immediate retraction and public apology from The Punch and Daily Times newspapers over reports linking its Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, to an alleged coup plot against the Federal Government.
A statement signed by Seledi Thompson-Wakama, Director of Corporate Affairs, said the Commission, through its legal representatives, Adedipe and Adedipe Legal Practitioners, led by Chief Ayodeji Adedipe, SAN, has written to the newspapers over what it described as a false and malicious publication.
The newspapers had reported that Dr. Ogbuku was arrested by military intelligence for allegedly co-sponsoring a failed coup plot against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and that funds from NDDC contracts were used to finance the alleged plan.
The Commission dismissed the report as entirely fabricated, stating that neither Dr. Ogbuku nor any official of the NDDC has been invited, arrested, or questioned by any security agency in connection with any coup or financial misconduct. It added that the publications failed to verify the story or seek the Commission’s response before going to press, describing the act as a breach of journalistic ethics.
“The reckless and damaging report has caused Dr. Ogbuku and his family severe emotional distress, embarrassment, and reputational harm,” the statement noted, adding that friends and associates have expressed shock over the unfounded claims.
The NDDC demanded an unreserved public apology and the immediate removal of the defamatory story from all print, online, and social media platforms of both newspapers. It also requested that the apology be published in at least four national newspapers and in five consecutive editions of The Punch and Daily Times.
The Commission warned that failure to comply within seven days of receiving the notice would leave it with no option but to pursue civil and criminal action in line with the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended in 2024) and other relevant laws.
Reaffirming its loyalty to the peace and stability of Nigeria, the NDDC said it remains committed to the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu and to upholding transparency and accountability in public service. It urged the public to disregard the report and rely only on verified information from its official communication channels.
