News

Betta Edu Threatens To Sue BBC Over Alleged Defamation

Published

2 years ago

April 10, 2024

The suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu, has expressed her intention to take legal action against the British Broadcasting Corporation over what she claims to be defamatory statements.

Edu made this known through a letter signed by her legal representative, Chikaosolu Ojukwu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, and addressed to the BBC offices in Abuja and London.

In the letter titled ‘Request for immediate retraction of defamatory article published on BBC website against Dr. Betta Edu’, the lawyer expressed the harm caused to Edu’s reputation, as well as the emotional distress and suffering endured as a result of the publication.

It accused the BBC of failing to uphold journalistic fairness and due process by not giving Edu a chance to respond to the allegations prior to publishing the article.

The letter read, “We write to express our deep concern regarding the recent article published by the BBC on its website 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 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 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’.

“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.”

The letter continued, “For the avoidance of doubt, our client has neither been indicted nor found culpable of any act of financial impropriety in relation to her stewardship of the Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Ministry in Nigeria. It is also pertinent to emphasise that neither N30billion nor any amount whatsoever has been traced to or recovered from our client’s bank accounts nor has any proceed of crime been traced or recovered from her to warrant the scurrilous article under reference.

“Suffice it to say that in the aftermath of the publication of this scandalous article (which the BBC caused to be disseminated to millions of persons across the globe), our client has been inundated by calls and messages from friends, associates expressing their shock and consternation. Our client has suffered immeasurable reputational damage, psychological trauma and anguish as a direct consequence of the publication and dissemination of the article.

“In the light of the above, we hereby demand that the BBC, forthwith and immediately, pull down the offensive article from its website and/or any other associated platform. Furthermore, we demand that the BBC, within 48 hours from the receipt of this correspondence, issue and publish an immediate and unqualified retraction of the aforementioned article and a public apology to our client, for the false and defamatory content published. This retraction and apology must be given the same prominence as the initial offensive article.

“Take notice that should the BBC fail and/or neglect to comply with the above demands, we have our client’s instructions to, without further recourse to the BBC, initiate swift legal action(s) before the appropriate Courts to obtain redress for the injurious falsehood peddled in your article, and to seek punitive and exemplary damages in the sum of US$ 50 million against the BBC for the damage and injury suffered by our client.”

News

JUST IN: PDP Axes Wike, Fayose, Anyanwu, Others For Anti-party Activities

Published

5 minutes ago

November 15, 2025

Editor

The Peoples Democratic Party at its ongoing 2025 National Convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Saturday expelled high-profile members including Federal Capital Minister, Nyesom Wike, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), former Governor Ayo Fayose, Austin Nwachukwu, and several others for anti-party activities.

The action was “promptly ratified by an overwhelming majority of delegates,” highlighting the party’s “commitment to restoring unity, discipline, and focus ahead of the 2027 general elections.”

This is according to the official statement released by @OfficialPDPNig across its social media handles, which read, “In a landmark move to restore unity, discipline, and focus ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at its ongoing 2025 National Convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, has expelled high-profile members Nyesom Wike, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), former Governor Ayo Fayose, Austin Nwachukwu, and several others.”

News

No Policeman Should Search Your Phone On The Road – Lagos CP

Published

12 hours ago

November 15, 2025

Editor

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, has reiterated that no security ooerative has the right to search people’s phones on the road.

CP Jimoh said this on Thursday during the closing ceremony of the 2025 Police–Youth Dialogue Programme organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development at Alausa, Ikeja, where he also told Lagosians that their phones are their personal belongings.

“Some people put me on TikTok where I said it that no policeman should search your phone on the road, I still stand by that order,” he said.

Jimoh said that the Lagos State Police Command is committed to strengthening its relationship with young people through continuous dialogue, community partnerships, and empowerment initiatives.

Speaking further at the event, with the theme, “The Power of Partnership: Cultural Trust and Understanding Between Youth and Law Enforcement Agencies,” which brought together police officers, youth representatives, civil society groups, and government officials, the CP described the youth as the “mirror of the society”.

The police commissioner talked about the critical role of young people in shaping policies and holding institutions accountable.

“The youth population is vibrant, innovative, and forward-thinking; they represent the energy that drives our economy and defines our culture,” Jimoh said.

“This programme has erased so many longstanding gaps and misunderstandings between the police and young people in the state.”

According to him, there are several initiatives aimed at improving police–youth relations, including the appointment of information officers across all area commands and the expansion of gender units to enhance the protection of women and children.

Jimoh also announced the launch of a new initiative, “Bail is Free,” with the CP making a promise that bail services would now be provided free of charge in all the police divisions across Lagos State.

“As part of the initiative, I have distributed complimentary cards bearing my signature, which guarantee free bail services across all police divisions in the state,” he said.

CP Jimoh also called on the youth to familiarise themselves with the law, noting that knowledge of their rights and responsibilities would help reduce friction with law enforcement.

“Partnership is not just a slogan; it is an active process of dialogue, respect, and adaptability. We listen more, judge less, and work together for a common goal,” he stated.

Jimoh added that the dialogue programme was a reflection of Lagos State’s vision of proactive community policing and youth empowerment, aimed at fostering trust, accountability, and security in Nigeria’s commercial hub.

News

Obiano’s Ex-aide Opens Up On Rumoured Former Anambra Gov’s Death

Published

23 hours ago

November 14, 2025

Editor

The former Anambra State Commissioner for Information under Governor Willie Obiano, Mr C-Don Adinuba, has debunked rumours of the ex-governor’s death, confirming that Obiano is hale and hearty in Houston, United States, where he currently resides.

Claims had circulated on social media suggesting that Obiano, who served as governor of Anambra State from 2014 to 2022, had died in London.

Adinuba, in a telephone interview with our correspondent on Friday, described the reports as “provocative” and “unfounded,” insisting that the former governor is alive and well with his family in the US.

He said, “I have been asked some probing questions by journalists and have heard a provocative rumour about the death of former Governor Willie Obiano. The rumour is not true. I just spoke with the former governor and members of his family a few minutes ago. He is hale and hearty in Houston, United States, where he resides.

“Contrary to the reports, Obiano is not in London and has not been hospitalised. He is strong, hale, and hearty, and bouncing in the US. Ignore the rumour—it is not from a credible source. Please, the report is fake; Obiano is still alive.”

Adinuba urged the public to disregard the claims.

Obiano’s personal publicist, Tony Nezianya, also told The PUNCH that he had not received any information confirming the rumours.

He said, “I can’t confirm this; I am not aware of such news.”

Obiano served as governor of Anambra State from 2014 to 2022, succeeding Peter Obi, and handed over to the incumbent governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, in March 2022.

He hails from Aguleri in Anambra East Local Government Area and was born on August 8, 1955.

Obiano is currently under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over an alleged N4 billion fraud.