‘Coup Arrest Claim’: NDDC Threatens to Sue Punch, Daily Times,, Demands Retraction, Apology Within 7-Days

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has issued a strong legal demand for the retraction and apology from The Punch and Daily Times newspapers over false reports claiming that NDDC Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku was arrested for allegedly plotting a coup against President Tinubu and transferring funds to finance it.

The NDDC’s legal team, in a statement signed by
Seledi Thompson-Wakama, Director, Corporate Affairs, described the reports as malicious, false, and damaging to Dr. Ogbuku’s reputation.

They demanded that the newspapers retract the story and publish a public apology across multiple media outlets within seven days. Failure to comply will result in civil and criminal legal action.

The full statement is reproduced below:

NDCC DEMANDS RETRACTION, APOLOGY FROM PUNCH

The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has demanded a retraction and apology from the Punch and Daily Times newspapers over an alleged coup rumour against the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The Commission’s Legal Counsel, ADEDIPE AND ADEDIPE Legal Practitioners, 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.

Adedipe said the report, “falsely alleged that Dr Samuel Ogbuku, Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), was arrested by military intelligence for allegedly co-sponsoring a failed coup plot against President Tinubu.

“The publication further 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.”

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:

1. Immediate retraction of the defamatory publication from all their news platforms; and

2. 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 reiterates its commitment to the development of the Niger Delta region, the peace and stability of Nigeria, and to upholding the highest standards of transparency and accountability in public service.

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.”

Seledi Thompson-Wakama

Director, Corporate Affairs

October 30, 2025