The plan by friends of Petroleum Minister Diezani Allison-Madueke to publish a newspaper to be used to launder her image may have run into a hitch following a strong warning from the copyright owners of the name they chose for the newspaper.

The minister’s friends, who are believed to be acting on her behalf, were recently reported to be about to launch a newspaper to be known as Nigeria Today. But in a statement released yesterday in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, a company which has been publishing Nigeria Today since 2006 issued a strong warning to Allison-Madueke and her friends to drop the plans or be prepared for a law suit.

“In the unlikely event that the so-called “friends of Petroleum Minister, Diezani Allison Madueke” choose to heed to this warning in breach, the Publishers and Management of Nigeria Today have instructed their lawyers to be on standby to take all necessary legal action against these fraudsters once they unmask themselves,” said a statement signed on behalf of Charlie Media Company Ltd publishers of Nigeria Today, by the Chairman, Board of Directors, Alh Bashir Aminu (Iyan Zazzau) and Publisher, Mr. Joel C. Dappa.

The statement, which was made available to News Express, reads in full:

The attention of the Board of Directors of Charlie Media Company Ltd publishers of “Nigeria Today” and the Management/Editorial Board of “Nigeria Today” has been drawn to a news item contained at page 82 of Thisday Newspapers of December 30, 2012 wherein it was published thus-

“Friends of Diezani Allison-Madueke head For Newspaper Publishing.

Friends of the Petroleum Minister Diezani Allison Madueke are set to begin a publication of a National Newspaper. The newspaper will be called “NIGERIA TODAY”. Journalism is no stranger to rebellious or audacious moves, but in the case of Diezani friends, it will be a more of a defiance move.

It is set to be part of a bigger plan to carve a creative identity for their friends….The maiden edition of “NIGERIA TODAY”…….”

The Publishers and Management of Nigeria Today are shocked by this intended act of copyright infringement and or passing off by the so-called “friends of Petroleum Minister, Diezani Allison Madueke”. We are equally shocked at the calculated attempt to bring the name and independence of Nigeria Today publications to disrepute.

Nigeria Today publications which commenced operations in 2006 is published by Charlie Media Company Ltd, a limited liability company duly incorporated in Nigeria to carry on the business of newspapers and magazine publishing amongst others.

Nigeria Today is trademarked and copyright reserved with ISSN No. 0795-3119 and has since its maiden edition strived to promote a better Nigeria by contributing its quota towards Nigeria’s unity with a view to make Nigeria one nation.

Nigeria Today has been a monument for authoritative, factual writing rather than emotional journalism. The publication has been strengthened by its ability to provide a Nigeria perspective to events without downplaying the country’s severe problems. The publication has been known for its balanced, indepth and objective journalism.

Nigeria Today is a fully independent publication that has guarded jealously its editorial independence which is at the heart of the publication. It cannot therefore be used to promote selfish, personal, ethnic interest as the so-called “friends of Petroleum Minister, Diezani Allison Madueke” want to do.

The Publishers and Management of Nigeria Today therefore use this opportunity to warn the so-called “friends of Petroleum Minister, Diezani Allison Madueke” to desist from their intended act of copyright infringement and passing off. If they must commence their chosen act of gutter journalism of promoting selfish, personal and or ethnic interest they are free to do so in another name definitely NOT NIGERIA TODAY.

In the unlikely event that the so-called “friends of Petroleum Minister, Diezani Allison Madueke” choose to heed to this warning in breach, the Publishers and Management of Nigeria Today have instructed their lawyers to be on standby to take all necessary legal action against these fraudsters once they unmask themselves.

Finally we use this medium to categorically dissociate Nigeria Today publications from the so-called “friends of Petroleum Minister, Diezani Allison Madueke” and assure Nigeria Today’s numerous readers that the Publishers and Management of Nigeria Today have nothing to do with the so-called “friends of Petroleum Minister, Diezani Allison Madueke” or any publication by them and has not given any person or group of persons licence to use the name “Nigeria Today” to promote individual, sectional, ethnic, group interest or any other interest for that matter.

•Photo: Petroleum Minister, Diezani Allison-Madueke.