Amnesty: Defunct NDLF Disowns Petition Against Otuaro, Passes Vote Of Confidence

By Monday Peters, Abuja

The defunct Niger Delta Liberation Force (NDLF) has disowned a petition forwarded to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) against the Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr. Dennis Burutu Otuaro by faceless individuals impersonating the group.

In a disclaimer letter dated September 25, 2026, and addressed to the Chairman of ICPC in Abuja, leaders of the defunct group said the petition was not authorized by them.

According to the letter, “We the undersigned, bonafide members of the defunct Niger Delta Liberation Force (NDLF) have no knowledge of, or has not authorized, endorsed, or participated in the preparation, circulation or submission of any petition, particularly the one under reference hereof, whereupon Dr. Dennis Burutu Otuaro of the Presidential Amnesty Program (PAP) is made the subject.”

The group described the petition as false, noting that the alleged issues raised by the faceless individuals, including “an alleged N50 billion contract, a matter or issue that has no connection whatsoever with the NDLF.”

“We were one of the fiery freedom fighters in the Niger Delta- a struggle which also contributed to the birth of the Amnesty Program for the benefit of our people. We therefore, cannot deviate from this core principle and go about again to malign one of our own,” the letter stated.

The defunct NDLF further alleged impersonation, saying its checks showed that one Comr. Akpos Owei-Keme who authored the petition is not a member of the group.

“Our thorough checks showed that the said Comr. Akpos Owei-Keme, the author of the said petition is not our member, talk-less of being the secretary of the group (NDLF),” it said.

The group therefore called on the Nigeria Police Force to investigate the matter and “immediately fished out the said Comrade Akpos Owei-Keme.”

The members also defended Otuaro’s leadership, stating: “We testify that as members of the defunct NDLF, we receive our monthly stipends and other allowances and benefits from the Amnesty Office as and when due since the PAP came under the leadership of Dr. Dennis Burutu Otuaro.”

“We therefore have no reason to falsely malign him than praise him for the good work he is doing as the Coordinator of the PAP. We therefore accordingly use this rare opportunity to PASS A VOTE OF CONFIDENCE on him for his exceptional leadership,” they added.

The group urged the ICPC to discountenance the petition, saying “Any petition or document purporting to represent the official position of the NDLF without the group’s prior authorization or endorsement should not be regarded as an official communication.”

It called on the Dr Dennis Burutu Otuaro to “shred the same and trash it as it clearly did not emanate from us and discovered to be false.”

The disclaimer was signed by 13 members including General Peter Ayaka Doloebiowei (aka Peter Bighead – Deputy Leader), Ayakeme Prapra, Commander Adobu Ozidi, and Morris Musa (Secretary as he then was), Marvis Kipu among others.