By Muhammad Mamman
Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mike Ozekhome, has hit back at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the State Security Service (SSS) over demands that Peoples Gazette retract reports on the alleged abduction and coerced resignation of Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) boss, Bayo Ojulari.
Acting on behalf of Peoples Gazette, Mr Ozekhome described the threats from EFCC chairman, Ola Olukoyede, and SSS director-general, Adeola Ajayi, as “baseless and unwarranted,” insisting the reports were accurate, balanced and consistent with international journalistic standards.
The newspaper had on 2 August published an exclusive alleging that the EFCC and SSS, under Messrs Olukoyede and Ajayi, detained Mr Ojulari and forced his resignation at the prompting of British-Nigerian oil magnate Olatimbo Ayinde, said to be an influential player within President Bola Tinubu’s administration. A follow-up report claimed First Lady Remi Tinubu later intervened to stall the move.
Following publication, both agencies accused The Gazette of defamation and threatened legal action under the Cybercrimes Act, demanding a retraction and public apology within 48 hours.
In replies dated 29 August, however, Mr Ozekhome rejected the demands, stressing that the newspaper had sought comments from EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale, Mr Ajayi, and presidential aide Bayo Onanuga prior to publication but received no substantive response.
“Our client carefully balanced its constitutional duty to inform the public with the right of fair hearing and rebuttal—opportunities which were offered but ignored,” Mr Ozekhome wrote.
He further argued that the stories were published in good faith, sourced credibly, and were protected under the Nigerian Constitution, the Freedom of Information Act, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Mr Ozekhome emphasised that The Gazette carries a constitutional obligation, under Section 22 of the 1999 Constitution, to hold government to account, warning that attempts to silence the press run contrary to democratic principles.
