Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mike Ozekhome, has responded to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Department of State Services (SSS) regarding their demand for the retraction of a report published by Peoples Gazette.
The report claimed that Bayo Ojulari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), was forced to resign under duress, allegedly orchestrated by EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede and SSS Director-General Adeola Ajayi, following instructions from businesswoman Olatimbo Ayinde, associated with President Bola Tinubu.
In letters dated August 29, 2025, Ozekhome described the retraction demand as baseless, stating that the publication followed proper journalistic procedures and relied on credible sources. He emphasized that Peoples Gazette had sought comments from the relevant parties before publication but received no substantive response. Ozekhome further argued that the reports were constitutionally protected exercises of press freedom 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.
He highlighted that the publication served the public interest by holding government institutions accountable, in line with the media’s responsibilities under Section 22 of the 1999 Constitution. Ozekhome criticized the attempts to silence the press as inconsistent with democratic principles and the ideals of a free society.
Previously, the EFCC and SSS had threatened legal action under the Cybercrimes Act unless the story was retracted and an apology issued within 48 hours. Ozekhome maintained that these demands were unwarranted and that the publication acted in good faith to inform the public. Peoples Gazette has not issued a retraction or apology, and the matter remains unresolved.
