From John Silas
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), has debunked allegations that it’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, was arrested for allegedly co-sponsoring a failed coup plot against President Bola Tinubu and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
It was reported that Ogbuku, was arrested by military intelligence for allegedly transferring a huge sum of money to former Bayelsa State Governor and ex-Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, to finance the alleged failed coup plot to against President.
But NDDC’s Director, Corporate Affairs, Seledi Thompson-Wakama in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Thursday night described the reports as “entirely false, malicious, and defamatory.”
The NDDC in the statement denied that it’s MD/CEO, Dr. Ogbuku was been arrested, invited, or interrogated by any authority in connection to any failed coup against the President.
The Commission demanded a retraction and a written apology from Punch and Daily Times newspapers, in national newspapers and Punch’s online and social media platforms, over the report within seven days or face legal action.
The statement reads in part, “The Commission’s Legal Counsel, Adedipe and Adedipe Legal Practitioners, has in a strongly worded letter signed by Chief Ayodeji Adedipe, SAN, demanded that The Punch, the Daily Times and others retract the offensive and false publication and tender an unreserved public apology.
“This said the publication 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.”
Adedipe in the statement said, “the report, falsely alleged that Dr Samuel Ogbuku, Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, was arrested by military intelligence for allegedly co-sponsoring a failed coup plot against President Tinubu.
“According to the letter, 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.
“The NDDC therefore demand that a 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 Legal Counsel stated: “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.”
The Commission however, reiterated its commitment to the development of the Niger Delta region, promote peace and stability of Nigeria, and to upholding the highest standards of transparency and accountability in public service.
