The management of Excel- LED has threatened a legal action against Mr. Fidelis Anosike and Daily Times over a report it found to be offensive.
The company in its right of reply demanded an apology and withdrawal of offensive reports by Daily Times.
Besides, Excel-LED said Daily Times should yank off the offensive report within a specific period or face a legal action amongst other actions.
Daily Times had on 05 February 2026 claimed in its publication that the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has formally referred Chinese company EXCEL-LED and its Nigerian associate, Emmanuel Shoon Patrick, to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) for criminal prosecution.
“This move, documented in FCCPC letter with reference: FCCPC/DSI/C/M/FC2753 dated 21st January 2026 is in escalation of Nigeria’s crackdown on foreign firms implicated in financial misconduct,” Daily Times claimed.
The paper had earlier on 16 December 2025 reported that Excel-Led along with other companies are involved in multi million naira scam at Enugu, Abuja and Port Harcourt airports.
According to the report, Daily Times stated that it has documented evidence revealing foreign firms and Nigerian intermediaries diverting project payments from corporate to personal accounts, dodging taxes and starving the Federal Government of vital revenue.
But Excel-Led denied the reports as not factual but an attempt by the owner of the media house, to use the paper to give a false narrative.
The company in its write of reply signed by its Chief Executive Officer, Amb. Emmanuel Shoon Patrick, said contrary to the impression that Excel Optoelectronics Company was involved in fraudulent or criminal conduct, it was actually involved in commercial contract with Mr. Anosike, the owner of Daily Times for the supply of LEDs at the Port Harcourt airports.
According to him, “What occurred was a commercial engagement initiated on or about 1 December 2025, arising from a request for the supply and installation of LED screens under credit terms that were inconsistent with the company’s established business policy.”
Patrick however said but for the insistence that deposit should be made, Anosike had wanted them to do the job on credit claiming that he was expecting 500 million from MTN.
Ambassador Patrick who also hinted that they are in court with Anosike over the business wondered why he will go to the media if not for engaging in media trial and also misleading the public.
Given detials of the engagement between Excel-LED and Mr Anosike, he stated: “On or about 1 December 2025, Mr. Fidelis Anosike and his company: Folio Media Group Ltd., contacted a staff member of Excel Optoelectronics Company Limited, Mr. Ndubuisi Igbemu, requesting the supply and installation of LED screens on credit, to be placed at his choice location at Port Harcourt International Airport. “He represented that he was awaiting payment of ₦500,000,000 from MTN Nigeria, which he claimed would enable him to settle the account.
“As this request exceeded the scope of Mr. Igbemu’s authority, it was referred to Amb. Emmanuel Shoon Patrick, CEO/Founder, who, aware of the company’s strict policy against releasing products on credit, reviewed the request. Despite Mr. Fidelis Anosike and his company: Folio Media Group Ltd., being a prior client, having purchased three LED screens previously, the CEO politely declined full compliance with the request, consistent with the company’s policy.
“In consideration of the purported opportunity to supply 100 units across Nigerian airports and in a gesture of goodwill, the CEO proposed a compromise: release of one unit of LED screens against a deposit of ₦10,000,000, subject to a formal invoice dated 1 December 2025 for ₦28,332,372 (inclusive of VAT), which clearly indicated the company’s non-refundable payment policy. Mr. Fidelis Anosike, fully aware of these terms, accepted and remitted the deposit via another company, Tefan, on behalf of Folio Media, using the CEO’s personal account temporarily for operational exigencies, a fact known and acknowledged by him at all relevant times.
“Subsequently, a screenshot of the deposit sent by Mr. Fidelis Anosike revealed that he had sufficient funds, contrary to his earlier claims of financial incapacity. When the CEO drew attention to the outstanding balance, Mr. Fidelis Anosike responded with hostility, falsely labeling the CEO a “criminal,” and threatened to leverage his position as Publisher of Daily Times to publicize the dispute. He refused to provide details for a refund, escalating the matter into a public confrontation.
“In response, Excel Optoelectronics, through its legal counsel, issued formal letters of demand seeking settlement of the outstanding balance and retraction of defamatory statements. Folio Media’s subsequent correspondence, alleging fraud and misrepresentation, was addressed comprehensively by the company’s solicitors. Who have initiated the process for seeking declaratory reliefs.
“The company was therefore taken aback by media publications portraying Mr. Fidelis Anosike and his company: Folio Media Group Ltd., as a purported victim, despite evidence, including his own communications, showing misrepresentation and willingness to manipulate the transaction for personal advantage.”
On what Daily Times published, Patrick noted: “These publications failed to contact Excel Optoelectronics or its CEO for comment, mischaracterized a commercial dispute as criminal conduct, and selectively shielded the accuser while exposing and maligning the company and its CEO.
“It is critical to note that all VAT obligations were preserved, the company received no other payment from Mr. Fidelis Anosike prior to the deposit, and no government revenue was compromised. Excel Optoelectronics remains committed to providing exemplary service to its clients and will continue to assert its rights in accordance with the law, regardless of attempts to exploit media influence for personal grievances.
“These clarifications can be substantiated by documentary evidence and are presented in the interest of accuracy and public enlightenment. The continued circulation of the uncorrected publication risks misleading the public and unjustly damaging my professional and personal standing.”
Consequently, Excel-LED is demanding for the publication of its right of reply with prominence and visibility reasonably comparable to that accorded the original reports.
They also demanded a clear editorial clarification and withdrawal of the specific allegations and impressions that suggested criminal or fraudulent conduct. The company also demanded for he removal or appropriate amendment of the offending online publications and related social media posts to prevent the continued circulation of misleading or prejudicial content; and a public apology, addressed to Excel Optoelectronics Company Limited and Amb. Emmanuel Shoon Patrick, acknowledging the distress, reputational harm, and professional impact occasioned by the publications.
Failure to carryout the demands within a reasonable timeframe, the company said it would initiate a legal action against the media house.
It stated: “While our primary objective remains the correction of the public record through responsible editorial engagement, Excel Optoelectronics Company Limited must respectfully place on record that, should the remedial requests outlined in Section Three not be addressed within a reasonable timeframe, we will consider and pursue all available legal and regulatory remedies. These may include, but are not limited to: “Publication of further factual clarifications in reputable national and international media outlets to ensure accurate information is disseminated;
“Formal petitions and complaints to professional and regulatory bodies, including the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), and any other relevant oversight authorities;
“Civil proceedings for defamation, malicious falsehood, and related claims against all parties responsible for the inaccurate and damaging publications;
“Any other lawful media or judicial remedies permissible under Nigerian law.
Excel Optoelectronics Company Limited remains a law-abiding corporate entity, dedicated to ethical business practices, professional integrity, and the delivery of excellence to its clients. We emphasise that we will not be intimidated, coerced, or subjected to reputational harm through the misuse of media platforms or the weaponisation of editorial influence to pursue private commercial disputes.
Excel-LED concluded by stating that the “steps are sought in good faith, with the sole objective of upholding journalistic standards, correcting inaccuracies, and preserving public confidence in the media.
