Optiva Capital Faults NiDCOM’s Defamatory Statement, Demands Retraction, Apology

Oluchi Chibuzor

Leading investment immigration wealth management company, Optiva Capital Partners, has decried what it termed as, “defamatory publication by NiDCOM on 23rd January 2024, published via your verified official “X” handle (@nidcom_gov) and signed by a certain Abdur-Rahman Balogun, your Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit, at the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abuja (“NiDCOM”).”

This was contained in a letter addressed to the Chairman/CEO of NiDCOM by the law firm of Babalakin & Co., signed by Oyetola Oshobi (SAN), on behalf of Optiva Capital Partners, titled, “Complaint About the Defamatory Publication Made Against Optiva Capital Partners Limited by NiDCOM.”

According to the letter, “We hereby state unequivocally that the allegations and imputation against our client in the referenced press statement are false and unjustified. If NiDCOM had conducted basic research and investigation on the allegations, it would not have published same on its verified official “X” handle (@nidcom_gov) with over 68,500 followers (which broadcast has acquired about 3000 views on X as at 2:00pm on Wednesday 24th January 2024 ).”

The protest letter emphasised that, “The publication continues to have a severe adverse effect on our client’s business, reputation and goodwill. Our client’s business operates and thrives on the trust reposed by its clients, customers, partners, stakeholders and members of the public. The said tweet is not only defamatory of our client but also extremely defamatory of its identified directors in their personal capacities.

 “Optiva Capital Partners has been in operation since 2020 and operates globally, with over twenty one offices spread out across Africa. Our client is also registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Nigeria and has been approved to operate as a Corporate Investment Adviser. (copies of our client’s certificate of incorporation with the Corporate Affairs Commission (“CAC”) and SEC are attached herewith).”

The law firm added, “our client’s Chairman (Franklin Nechi) and its Managing Director (Jane Muchiku Kiememia), are highly accomplished and reputable investment professionals and business people. It is important to state that the Managing Director of our client has been in the employment of renowned international financial institutions, including Barclays Bank, where she occupied the esteemed and highly coveted position of the Executive Vice President on Investment for Barclays Bank East African Operations. She subsequently moved to Standard Chartered Bank, where she held the position of Executive Director, Wealth Management, in Nairobi, Kenya. She also held other top managerial positions including serving as Managing Director of two subsidiaries of Standard Chartered Bank.”

The Law Firm further stated that the Chairman of Optiva Capital Partners, Mr. Franklin Nechi, was an “Insurance Broker of repute with American International Insurance Company, where he laid the groundwork for what would become the leading Investment Immigration Company in West Africa – Optiva Capital Partners Limited. With the support of its extensive network of elite international partners, our client provides comprehensive range of investment solutions and its end-to-end service delivery is unparalleled. Under the distinguished leadership of our client’s Chairman, the company has recorded notable achievements and recognition from various stakeholders.”

It noted, “although NiDCOM has taken down the publication from its official X handle, it remained online for over 24 hours, it was viewed by over 3000 people, shared and reposted online and offline by other media outlets and blogs.”