Dr. Betta Edu, the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, has taken a firm stance against what she perceives as defamatory statements made by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), signaling her intention to pursue legal action.
In a letter penned by her legal representative, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Chikaosolu Ojukwu, and addressed to BBC offices in Abuja and London, Edu expressed profound concern over an article published on the BBC website titled “Betta Edu Probe: Nigeria Recover $24m in Poverty Minister Investigation- EFCC.” The letter denounced the article’s content, alleging that it contained innuendos and insinuations suggesting Edu’s involvement in corruption and financial impropriety.
The letter vehemently refuted the allegations leveled against Edu, emphasizing that she has neither been indicted nor found culpable of any financial wrongdoing. Furthermore, it criticized the BBC for failing to afford Edu the opportunity to respond to the allegations before publication, denouncing the breach of journalistic fairness and due process.
Demanding an immediate retraction of the offensive article and a public apology within 48 hours, the letter warned of impending legal action should the BBC fail to comply with these demands. It underscored the severe reputational damage, psychological trauma, and anguish suffered by Edu as a result of the article’s dissemination.
Edu’s suspension by President Bola Tinubu in January 2024 was mentioned in the context of the letter, which followed criticism stemming from a leaked memo directing the transfer of funds to a private account. However, the ministry clarified that the recipient was employed as a Project Accountant, Grants for Vulnerable Groups.