NDDC Blasts Punch, Daily Times — Demands Retraction Over ‘Fake Coup’ Report

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has issued a strong demand for a public retraction and apology from The Punch and Daily Times newspapers over what it described as a false, malicious, and defamatory report linking its Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, to an alleged coup plot against President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

In a letter signed by Ayodeji Adedipe (SAN) of Adeleke and Adedipe Legal Practitioners, the Commission condemned the publications as “reckless, unfounded, and injurious”, warning that failure to comply within seven days would lead to civil and criminal proceedings.

Adedipe stated that the newspapers falsely alleged Dr. Ogbuku’s arrest by military intelligence for purportedly co-sponsoring a failed coup and claimed he diverted NDDC contract funds to support the plot — accusations the Commission described as completely fabricated and defamatory.

The letter emphasized that Dr. Ogbuku has neither been arrested, invited, nor questioned by any authority regarding a coup or financial misconduct, and that the story was published without verification or contact with him or the NDDC.

According to the Commission, the report caused severe emotional distress, embarrassment, and reputational damage to Dr. Ogbuku and his family, with friends and associates expressing shock over the unfounded claims.

Through his legal team, Dr. Ogbuku demanded the following from The Punch and its editor, Awwal Owolabi:

1. An immediate retraction of the defamatory publication from all print and digital platforms.

2. A formal apology published in at least four national newspapers and in five consecutive editions of The Punch, including all affiliated online and social media outlets.

Failure to meet these demands within seven days of receiving the notice, the letter warned, would compel Dr. Ogbuku to initiate legal action under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended in 2024) and other relevant Nigerian laws.

The NDDC reaffirmed its commitment to the development of the Niger Delta, as well as to peace, transparency, and accountability in public service.

Its legal counsel concluded by urging Nigerians to disregard the false publication and rely solely on verified information disseminated through the Commission’s official communication channels.