Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mike Ozekhome, has reacted strongly to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the State Security Service (SSS) after both agencies reportedly demanded a retraction of a story linked to the alleged abduction of the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL). Ozekhome described the demands as baseless and an attempt to silence the truth.
The controversy began after reports surfaced alleging that the NNPCL boss had been abducted under suspicious circumstances. The news drew widespread public concern and sparked questions about the security situation in the country. Following the report, the EFCC and the SSS separately denied any involvement in the incident and insisted that the story was false. They went further by demanding a retraction and warning against what they called the spread of misinformation.
In his response, Ozekhome, who has built a reputation as a human rights lawyer and public commentator, insisted that the agencies’ threats were unjustified. He maintained that demanding a retraction without addressing the substance of the report undermines press freedom and suggests a lack of transparency on the part of the agencies. According to him, attempts to intimidate the media or legal voices into silence only raise deeper suspicions about what truly happened.
The lawyer criticized the manner in which the EFCC and the SSS handled the situation. He argued that rather than issue threats and attempt to censor reports, the agencies should provide clear, verifiable information to the public. Ozekhome warned that intimidation tactics not only weaken democratic institutions but also erode citizens’ trust in government bodies tasked with protecting national interests.
He further reminded the agencies that freedom of expression and access to information are constitutional rights. In his words, insisting on a retraction without proving falsehood amounts to bullying and undermines the role of the media in a democratic society. He stressed that government agencies must be accountable and held to higher standards of transparency, especially when sensitive issues such as the safety of a top oil executive are involved.
Observers note that the tension surrounding the reported abduction reflects wider concerns over insecurity in Nigeria, particularly targeting prominent figures. While the EFCC and SSS have dismissed the story, questions continue to linger in the public space due to the gravity of the allegations. For many Nigerians, the conflicting narratives have only added to the climate of uncertainty and mistrust toward state institutions.
Ozekhome urged the EFCC and SSS to desist from what he termed “baseless intimidation” and instead open themselves to scrutiny and verification. He maintained that democratic accountability cannot thrive in an environment where agencies attempt to silence dissenting voices or dictate media narratives.
The incident has now sparked debates within legal and media circles, with many agreeing that government agencies must tread carefully in their response to critical reporting. Analysts believe that the strong pushback from Ozekhome could embolden other lawyers and journalists to resist undue pressure from state institutions.
Although the EFCC and SSS continue to insist on the retraction of the story, Ozekhome has made it clear that he will not be coerced into submission. He emphasized that defending truth and protecting civil liberties remain central to his work as a lawyer. The matter is expected to continue generating controversy as Nigerians demand greater clarity on the original allegations and accountability from the institutions involved.
