The Board of Trustees of the National Compliance Joint Taskforce of Licensed Clearing Agents (NCJTFLCA) has demanded the immediate retraction and withdrawal of a publication by The Reporter Diary.com concerning an alleged police investigation involving some members of the organisation.
The demand followed a report published on July 31, 2026, titled: “Police Intelligence Department Summons Six NCJTFLCA Officials Over Alleged Forgery, Cyber Stalking, Blackmail.”
In a rejoinder, the NCJTFLCA Board described the publication as misleading, unverified and defamatory, alleging that it presented a distorted account of an ongoing dispute involving Chief Basil Chudi Nwaolisa and members of the organisation’s Board of Trustees.
The Board maintained that contrary to the impression created by the report, none of the affected officials had refused to honour a lawful police invitation.
According to the NCJTFLCA, the dispute began after the Board issued a query to Chief Nwaolisa in April 2026 over allegations of misconduct, including alleged corruption and abuse of office during his tenure as interim National President.
The Board alleged that Nwaolisa’s response to the query contained what it described as insulting and threatening remarks against members of the Board.
The organisation further alleged that during a subsequent Board meeting at Mambo Hotel, Festac, Nwaolisa arrived with six armed policemen from Area E Police Command, Festac, in circumstances the Board considered intimidating.
Following the incident, the Board said it reviewed the matter and suspended Nwaolisa from his position as interim National President, subsequently appointing an Acting National President pending the resolution of the matter.
The Board said it later petitioned the Federal Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Alagbon Annex, Lagos, over allegations against Nwaolisa, explaining that the petition was intended to facilitate a consolidated and impartial investigation.
According to the Board, Nwaolisa was invited by FCID Alagbon to appear before the investigating police officer but allegedly declined the invitation.
The NCJTFLCA further alleged that Nwaolisa subsequently secured an invitation for some Board members from the Force Intelligence Department (FID), Abuja, which the organisation said prompted it to petition the Inspector-General of Police for consolidation of the various petitions.
The Board stated that the IGP subsequently directed that the petitions be consolidated and reverted to FCID Alagbon, Lagos, where, according to the organisation, the matter originated.
The NCJTFLCA further claimed that despite another invitation issued to Nwaolisa by FCID Alagbon in July 2026, he allegedly failed to appear.
The Board also alleged that there had been undue interference in the matter and said it had petitioned both the Inspector-General of Police and the Police Service Commission over the issue.
Reacting specifically to the report by The Reporter Diary.com, the Board insisted that the officials named in the publication did not disobey any lawful police invitation.
It explained that their decision not to appear before the FID in Abuja was based on the directive of the Inspector-General of Police that the petitions be consolidated and transferred to FCID Alagbon, Lagos.
The Board said:
“The Board of Trustees members named in your publication are men of honour and integrity and did not, and will not, refuse to honour any lawful invitation by the police for investigation.”
The organisation stressed that as an advocacy body committed to compliance with the law, transparency and accountability, it had no reason to obstruct legitimate investigations or disregard due process.
The Board also cautioned that a police invitation, by itself, does not amount to a conviction or constitute a finding of guilt against any individual.
It accused the publication of failing to conduct adequate verification before presenting the matter to the public, arguing that the report had the potential to damage the reputation of the organisation and the affected officials.
The NCJTFLCA reaffirmed its commitment to “integrity, transparency and accountability,” adding that it would continue to cooperate with lawful investigations by relevant government and security agencies.
24-Hour Retraction, Apology Demand
Consequently, the Board has demanded that The Reporter Diary.com:
Immediately retract and withdraw the publication from all platforms under its control within 24 hours of receiving the rejoinder.
Publish an unreserved public apology and clarification to the NCJTFLCA and the affected officials, with prominence reasonably equivalent to that of the original publication, including publication in three national newspapers.
Cease and desist from further publication or dissemination of the allegations, or substantially similar claims concerning the affected officials and the NCJTFLCA, unless such reports are supported by verified facts and presented fairly and responsibly.
The Board said it considers the publication a serious matter and has reserved all rights and remedies available to the organisation and the affected individuals under Nigerian law.
The NCJTFLCA further warned that failure to comply with its demands within 24 hours could result in its legal team commencing appropriate legal proceedings to protect the reputation, rights and interests of the organisation and the affected individuals.
Such legal action, the Board said, may include a claim for damages and other reliefs considered appropriate in response to the alleged reputational harm caused by the publication.