Betta Edu threatens BBC with lawsuit, demands $ 50m
As CISLAC/ TI commends EFCC for recovering fund
SUSPENDED Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, has threatened to sue British Broadcasting Corporation ( BBC) for alleged defamation.
In a letter signed by her counsel, Chikaosolu Ojukwu, SAN, Edu demanded $ 50 million compensation from the media organisation.
The letter, addressed to BBC’S Abuja and London offices, claimed the BBC had reported false information regarding the ongoing investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC), alleging that N30 billion was recovered from the suspended minister.
The lawyer stated that the concerned publication had caused immeasurable reputational damage, psychological trauma, and anguish to Edu.
The letter further criticised the BBC for its article, stating that it suggested guilt on Edu’s part without allowing for the presumption of innocence.
It accused the BBC of breaching journalistic fairness and due process by not providing Edu with an opportunity to respond to the allegations before publishing the article.
The letter read: “First and foremost, the language used in describing our client’s purported involvement in the alleged corruption case suggests guilt without allowing for the presumption of innocence, which is fundamental in any fair and unbiased reporting.
“The reckless manner in which the article was crafted, without providing our client with the opportunity to respond to the allegations before its wide publication, is a clear breach of journalistic fairness and due process and demonstrates a complete disregard for journalistic integrity and professionalism.
“This is a blatant attempt to tarnish our client’s reputation and undermine her credibility, which she has earned over the course of her distinguished career in both private and public life.” M EANWHILE, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre ( CISLAC) and Transparency International in Nigeria ( TI- Nigeria) have lauded Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC) for recovering N30 billion from the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Betta Edu.
In a statement signed by the Executive Director of CISLAC/ TI- Nigeria, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, the organisation expressed its appreciation for EFCC’S efforts in combating corruption, particularly within government ministries tasked with uplifting Nigerians out of poverty.
Rafsanjani underscored the significance of the recovery, emphasising the need to hold accountable those entrusted with public funds.
“It is highly commendable that the EFCC has taken action against corruption within the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, which should be focused on alleviating poverty rather than being a breeding ground for embezzlement,” he said.
Highlighting Nigeria’s alarming poverty statistics, with approximately 104 million citizens living below the poverty line, according to World Bank data, Rafsanjani lamented the detrimental impact of corruption on the nation’s development.
He called for intensified efforts to recover stolen assets and prosecute those responsible, emphasising the importance of treating corruption as a major impediment to progress.
The CISLAC boss further called for the promotion of the rule of law and transparency in anti- corruption efforts, emphasising the crucial role of accountability in combating graft effectively.