Nigeria's Poverty Minister threatens to sue BBC over defamatory report
The suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in Nigeria, Dr. Betta Edu, has taken a decisive stance against what she deems as a defamatory report by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).
In a letter penned by her legal representative, Chikaosolu Ojukwu (SAN), Edu expressed her intent to sue BBC for tarnishing her reputation. The letter, addressed to BBC offices in Abuja and London, contested the accuracy of BBC's coverage, particularly regarding allegations of financial misconduct, the Vanguard reports.
The BBC reported that an ongoing probe by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), had “recovered 30bn Naira ($24m; £19m) as part of an ongoing corruption probe into a suspended minister.” The lawyer representing Edu vehemently denied these allegations, stating that they were false and had significantly damaged his client's reputation.
“We write to express our deep concern regarding the recent article published by the BBC on its website: www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-Africa (Last accessed on 9th April 2024 at 17:40 GMT) titled: “Betta Edu Probe: Nigeria Recover $24m in Poverty Minister Investigation- EFCC” with the byline “Nigeria Has Recovered 30bn Naira ($24m; £19m) as Part of an Ongoing Corruption probe Into a Suspended Minister, the Financial Watchdog Says,” the letter was quoted by Vanguard.
Ojukwu demanded a retraction of the article and a public apology from BBC within 48 hours, citing the irreparable harm caused to Edu's reputation and well-being. Furthermore, Edu is seeking $50 million in compensation from the UK-based media organization.
The letter adds that “The aforesaid article, which presents information purporting to relate to an ongoing corruption probe into the activities of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in Nigeria, is replete with innuendoes and insinuations which suggest that N30bn has been recovered in the course of the ongoing investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from our client and that the 50 bank accounts connected with the recovered sums are linked to our client.”
“Furthermore, your article proceeds to cast aspersion on our client by referencing her earlier suspension (to allow for unfettered investigations) in the following terms: “Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Minister Betta Edu was initially suspended in January over the alleged diversion of $640,000 of public money into a personal bank account.”
The letter emphasized the importance of journalistic integrity and fair reporting, highlighting BBC's failure to provide Edu with an opportunity to respond to the allegations before publishing the article. It condemned BBC's portrayal of Edu as guilty without affording her the presumption of innocence, a fundamental principle in unbiased reporting.
In January, Minister Betta Edu of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation faced suspension following allegations of diverting $640,000 of public funds into a personal bank account.
