Architect Bribena Threatens N500m Libel Suit Against Facebook Publisher Over Baraza Ponzi Scheme Allegations
YENAGOA — An architect, Dr. Oyinmiebi Bribena, has threatened to institute a N500 million libel suit against a Facebook publisher, Mr. Bodise Wilson, over a social media publication allegedly linking him to a N2 billion fraud and describing him as the architect of the Baraza Multipurpose Co-operative Society Limited scheme.
The threat was contained in a cease-and-desist letter dated October 9, 2026, issued by B.A. Joshua & Associates, legal representatives of Bribena.
In the letter addressed to Wilson, identified as a social media publisher and Facebook user, the law firm accused him of publishing allegedly defamatory statements against its client on his Facebook timeline on October 9.
The disputed publication, titled “EFCC Declares Miebi Bribena of Baraza Ponzi Scheme & Wife Wanted for N2bn Fraud,” reportedly described Bribena as a predator and the architect of a fraudulent scheme that allegedly destroyed lives, ruined homes and wiped out people’s life savings.
The publication also reportedly alleged that the Baraza scheme was a Ponzi operation that depended on funds from new investors to pay earlier investors.
However, Bribena’s lawyers described the allegations as false, malicious and damaging to their client’s reputation.
According to the legal notice, the firm’s position is that the transactions involving Baraza Multipurpose Co-operative Society Limited had been the subject of judicial proceedings at the Federal High Court in Yenagoa.
The lawyers cited a judgment delivered on March 22, 2024, by Justice Isa H. Dashen of the Federal High Court, Yenagoa Judicial Division, in Suit No. FHC/YNG/CS/125/2022, Bliss Multinational Perfections Ltd & Anor v. EFCC.
They claimed that the court held that the cooperative society’s business operations constituted civil, commercial and contractual transactions and that the powers of law enforcement agencies did not extend to using criminal processes for civil disputes or debt recovery.
The lawyers further claimed that the court declared the EFCC’s unilateral declaration of their client as wanted, without a valid court order, unjustified and unlawful, and awarded damages against the anti-graft agency.
They maintained that, in the absence of a subsisting appellate court judgment overturning the decision, the judgment remained valid.
The legal representatives alleged that Wilson’s publication had caused their client professional injury, public humiliation and psychological distress.
They consequently demanded that the Facebook publisher, within 48 hours of receiving the letter, delete the disputed publication and all accompanying comment threads from his Facebook profile and any other platform under his control.
The lawyers also demanded a comprehensive retraction of the allegations and an unreserved apology to their client.
According to the letter, the proposed apology must be approved by the law firm and pinned to the top of Wilson’s Facebook profile for at least seven consecutive days.
In addition, the lawyers demanded N500 million in damages, describing the amount as partial restitution for the alleged damage to their client’s domestic and international reputation.
The letter warned that failure to comply with the demands within the stipulated 48 hours would prompt the firm, acting on its client’s instructions, to institute legal proceedings at the High Court for damages.
It also threatened a petition to relevant law enforcement agencies over alleged violations of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act.
The legal notice was signed by B.A. Joshua, principal counsel at the firm.
BACKGROUND
The dispute centres on allegations concerning the operations of Baraza Multipurpose Co-operative Society Limited and the circumstances surrounding its financial transactions.
While the Facebook publication reportedly accused Bribena of masterminding a Ponzi scheme involving N2 billion, his lawyers insist that the allegations disregard the court judgment they cited in their letter.
However, the claims made in the legal notice, including the interpretation of the court judgment and the alleged defamatory nature of the Facebook post, have not been independently verified for this report.
There was no response from Wilson included in the legal notice, and his position on the allegations was not available at the time of filing this report.
The outcome of any threatened legal action and the response of the Facebook publisher remain unknown.
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