Voice of the People Television (VOP TV) has formally retracted allegations it previously aired against former Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mr. Gbenga Komolafe, following a legal threat over an allegedly defamatory broadcast.
A retraction letter dated July 28, 2026, and addressed to renowned human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), was obtained by Apples Bite International Magazine. The letter confirms that the television station has withdrawn the controversial claims and removed the offending content from its platforms.
The development comes days after Komolafe, through his legal representatives, Ojukwu Chikaosolu & Co., issued a pre-action notice demanding an immediate retraction, public apology, and removal of allegations linking him to the purported disappearance of ₦5 trillion and $1.4 billion during his tenure at the NUPRC.
In the correspondence signed by the management of VOP Media, the organization acknowledged receipt of the demand and stated that it had complied with the request to retract the publication.
“We wish to formally inform you that the said statement has been retracted in accordance with our commitment,” the letter stated.
The broadcaster further disclosed that the video containing the allegations had been taken down and that a retraction had already been published across its media platforms.
“The said video has been pulled down and the retraction has been published, and we have taken the necessary steps to ensure that it is disseminated across our platforms,” the letter added.
VOP Media also reiterated its commitment to responsible journalism, professionalism, fairness, and accuracy, while emphasizing its dedication to ethical media practice.
The retraction marks a significant development in the dispute that arose after VOP TV aired comments allegedly made by one of its in-house legal analysts, Barrister Darlington Agomou, who claimed during a programme that a forensic examination of Komolafe’s department uncovered missing public funds amounting to ₦5 trillion and $1.4 billion.
Komolafe’s legal team had strongly disputed the allegations, describing them as false, malicious, and unsupported by any credible evidence. The lawyers maintained that their client had never been investigated, charged, or convicted by any anti-corruption agency over allegations of fraud, corruption, embezzlement, or abuse of office.
They further argued that the broadcast violated key provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code relating to accuracy, fairness, balance, and the right of reply, while warning that failure to retract the statements could result in a ₦10 billion libel suit and petitions to relevant regulatory and security agencies.
Although the retraction appears to address one of the major demands contained in the pre-action notice, it remains unclear whether the parties have reached a final settlement regarding the matter or whether further legal steps may still be pursued.
As of the time of filing this report, neither Mr. Komolafe nor his legal representatives had publicly commented on the adequacy of the retraction or whether additional remedies, including a formal written apology, would still be sought.
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The controversy has reignited discussions within Nigeria’s media and legal circles about the importance of fact-checking, verification, and adherence to professional journalism standards, particularly when reporting allegations capable of causing serious reputational damage to public figures.
Observers note that the case serves as a reminder of the legal consequences that may arise from the publication or broadcast of unverified allegations, especially in an era where digital content can be rapidly disseminated across multiple platforms.
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Seunmanuel Faleye is a brand and communications strategist. He is a covert writer and an overt creative head. He publishes Apple’s Bite International Magazine.
