Excel Optoelectronics Company Limited and its Chief Executive Officer, Ambassador Emmanuel Shoon Patrick, have strongly denied allegations of fraud, fund diversion and tax evasion published against them in December 2025 and February 2026, describing the reports as “inaccurate, misleading and injurious.”
In a detailed Right of Reply dated February 5, 2026, and addressed to the editor, the company accused some media organisations of ethical breaches, abuse of editorial power and trial by media, insisting that the publications arose from a private commercial dispute rather than verified investigative journalism.
The disputed reports had alleged that the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) referred Excel-led, a Chinese-owned firm, and Ambassador Patrick to the Inspector-General of Police for possible prosecution over alleged diversion of multi-million-naira LED installation funds at Nigerian airports.
Reacting, Ambassador Patrick stated that neither he nor his company was contacted before publication, a lapse he said violated the Constitution and the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Code of Ethics.
“No effort whatsoever was made to contact the company or its CEO prior to publication to obtain our version of events. This omission constitutes a clear departure from settled principles of fair and responsible journalism,” he said.
He further alleged editorial imbalance, noting that while the accuser was shielded, his name and company were “fully exposed and portrayed in criminal terms.”
According to the letter, Excel Optoelectronics is a Nigerian-owned company with partnerships in China and elsewhere, not a Chinese firm as portrayed in the reports.
“Excel LED Nigeria is an independent and proudly Nigerian entity. Under my leadership, the company has built a reputation for reliability, innovation and international collaboration,” Patrick said.
Commercial dispute, not criminal conduct
The company explained that the matter stemmed from a commercial transaction initiated on December 1, 2025, involving a request by Mr. Fidelis Anosike of Folio Media Group Ltd. for LED screens on credit for installation at Port Harcourt International Airport.
Patrick said the request violated company policy, but a compromise was reached to release one unit upon a ₦10 million deposit, backed by a formal invoice of ₦28.3 million inclusive of VAT.
He said the deposit was paid with full knowledge of the non-refundable terms and that no government funds were involved.
“What occurred was a commercial engagement. It was not fraud, not tax evasion, and not a criminal enterprise. No public revenue was placed at risk,” the letter stated.
The Excel LED boss further alleged that when issues arose over the balance, Mr. Anosike became hostile and threatened to use his position as a newspaper publisher to damage the company’s reputation.
“The timing, tone and framing of the reports amount to trial by media, published shortly after a commercial disagreement and presented as established criminal conduct rather than disputed claims,” Patrick said.
Demand for redress
Excel Optoelectronics demanded prominent publication of its right of reply, withdrawal or amendment of the offending stories, removal of related online content and a public apology.
The company warned that failure to comply would result in petitions to regulatory bodies and possible civil action for defamation and malicious falsehood.
“We will not be intimidated, coerced, or subjected to reputational harm through the misuse of media platforms or the weaponisation of editorial influence,” the letter said.
