Emmanuel Thomas l Friday, Oct.31, 2025
ABUJA, Nigeria — The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has issued a fierce denial of reports linking its Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, to an alleged coup plot against the Federal Government, demanding immediate retraction and a public apology from two prominent Nigerian newspapers, The Punch, Daily Times and others.
The Commission’s legal counsel, ADEDIPE AND ADEDIPE Legal Practitioners, sent a strongly worded letter, signed by Chief Ayodeji Adedipe, SAN, to the publications, categorically refuting what it called “entirely false, malicious, and defamatory” claims.
The publications had reportedly alleged that Dr. Ogbuku was arrested by military intelligence for co-sponsoring a failed coup plot against President Bola Tinubu.
Even more seriously, the reports claimed the NDDC chief transferred funds from Commission contracts to finance the alleged plot.
”Dr. Ogbuku categorically denies these baseless claims,” the legal counsel stated. “He has not been arrested, invited, or interrogated by any authority in connection with any alleged coup plot or financial misconduct.”
The letter further accused the newspapers of a “gross violation of journalistic ethics,” claiming no effort was made to contact or verify the story with Dr. Ogbuku or the NDDC prior to publication. The Commission noted the “reckless and damaging report” has caused its Managing Director “severe emotional distress, embarrassment, and reputational harm.”
Seven-Day Ultimatum and Legal Threat
Through his legal representatives, Dr. Ogbuku has given The Punch Newspaper and its editor, Awwal Owolabi, a seven-day ultimatum to comply with two specific demands:
Immediate retraction of the defamatory publication from all their news platforms.
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 meet these demands, the letter warned, will compel Dr. Ogbuku to institute both civil and criminal proceedings against the publication and its editors, citing 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 concluded by reaffirming its commitment to the development of the Niger Delta region, the peace and stability of Nigeria, and upholding the highest standards of transparency and accountability in public service.
The public was urged to disregard the false report and rely only on verified information from the Commission’s official channels.
