The National Coordinator of the United Advocates for Good Governance and Leadership, Israel Theophilus Ebiama, has withdrawn a corruption allegation against a top official of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), calling the claim a deliberate ploy.
Ebiama had previously accused Engr. Adokiye Tombomieye of corruption in a publication dated July 9, 2025, which was circulated through Opera News and The Authority, among others.
But in a statement signed by himself on Saturday, he said the allegations were baseless and intentionally crafted to damage Tombomieye’s reputation.
“I unequivocally apologise to Engr. Adokiye Tombomieye and the general public,” Ebiama stated.
“The publication was all false — a ploy to discredit his good name. I take full responsibility.”
The retraction has stirred conversations about ethical responsibility within Nigeria’s civil society and media landscape.
Engr. Tombomieye, a senior executive at NNPCL, has remained silent on the matter, though supporters describe the apology as a vindication of his integrity.
He say the development raises questions about the use of advocacy platforms for political or personal agendas.
Legal experts warn that while retractions are necessary, false accusations may still carry legal consequences under Nigeria’s defamation laws.
