News
Betta Edu Threatens To Sue BBC Over Alleged Defamation
Published
1 year agoon
By
Editor
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.
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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.
READ ALSO: beBetta Edu: EFCC Recovers N30bn, Probes 50 Bank Accounts
“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.
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“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.”
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News
‘My Wife Keeps Late Nights, Returns Home Drunk, Denies Me Sex Since She Joined OPC’
Published
5 hours agoon
September 13, 2025By
Editor
Grade A Customary Court 2 sitting at Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, has dissolved the 13-year-old wedlock between a couple, Adisa and Falilat, on the grounds of no love, irresponsibility, drunkenness and keeping of late nights by the latter.
Adisa stated that Falilat became wild and uncontrollable after she joined the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC).
Adisa explained that Falilat hardly slept at home and on the few occasions she did, she always denied him s3x.
According to the plaintiff, the last time he and the defendant had s3x was almost two years ago.
He added that their children always looked haggard and unkempt because she seldom cooks for them nor gave attention to their appearance.
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Adisa said he could no longer stomach Falilat’s excesses and therefore prayed that their union be dissolved.
Falilat refused to come to court in spite of being served court summonses.
Adisa in his evidence said, My wife and I got married 13 years ago although I did not pay her bride price.
“The once intimate and steady relationship between my wife and I has turned sour and degenerated because of her rebellious nature.
“She has made life unbearable for me ever since she joined the OPC. Falilat is now wild and uncontrollable.
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“She refuses to take instructions from me and dares that I do my worst any time we have a misunderstanding.
“My wife has completely abandoned her duties at home.
“She neither cooks for our children nor ensures that they appear neat. They look haggard and unkempt all the time.
“Falilat hardly sleeps at home. On the few occasions she did, she would return home in the middle of the night drunk and disturbing the neighbourhood.
“She has turned me into a source of ridicule in our compound and neighbourhood.
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“Falilat denies me my conjugal right. The last time we had sex was almost two years ago.
“My lord, I am better off without a wife than have Falilat under my roof.
“I pray the court to stop our relationship so that I can have peace of mind.”
The court president, Mrs O.E Qwoseni, while giving her judgment stated that there was no marriage to be dissolved because no customary marriage was carried out and the bride price was not paid.
Owoseni added that the defendant was given ample opportunity to defend herself but that she failed to make use of the opportunity.
According to her, the evidence of the plaintiff was deemed admitted.
Ruling, Owoseni dissolved their union.
News
Tears As MKO Abiola’s Wife Doyinsola Laid To Rest In Lagos
Published
18 hours agoon
September 12, 2025By
Editor
Dr Doyinsola Abiola, pioneering journalist and widow of the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola, was laid to rest on Friday in Lekki, Lagos, following a solemn funeral service at the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina.
Her burial concluded a week of tributes that began on Tuesday at Harbour Point, Victoria Island, where family, colleagues, and associates celebrated her groundbreaking contributions to journalism and her service to Nigeria.
The funeral service, officiated by Ven. Henry Adelegan, Canon Residentiary of the Cathedral, featured scriptural readings by family and close associates. Psalm 91 was read by Midun Tobun, while the Epistle from 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 was delivered by Suru Aboaba.
In his sermon, the Diocesan Bishop of Lagos West, Rt. Rev. Pelu Johnson, reflected on Abiola’s legacy under the theme of restoration and hope. He hailed her as a “record-breaker who shattered glass ceilings,” noting her trailblazing achievements as Nigeria’s first female Ph.D. holder in journalism, first female editor of a national daily, and the first woman to lead a national newspaper as Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of the National Concord.
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“She stood resolutely with her husband during Nigeria’s democratic struggle, using Concord Newspapers as a powerful voice in the battle for freedom. Her legacy lives on through the generations she inspired and mentored,” Bishop Johnson said.
He also used the occasion to urge the government to confront Nigeria’s current challenges, including insecurity, unemployment, and corruption, while easing the burden on citizens.
The service drew a distinguished audience, including President Bola Tinubu’s representative, Minister of Finance Wale Edun; Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga; Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; former Lagos governor Akinwunmi Ambode; former Ogun State governor Otunba Gbenga Daniel; and former Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Nike Akande.
Other dignitaries in attendance included Eniola Bello, Managing Director of ThisDay; Adesoji Ajayi-Bembe, Obanikoro of Lagos; Sir Steve Omojafor, Chairman of STB-McCann; Yeni Anikulapo-Kuti; former presidential aide Femi Adesina; Mrs Abimbola Fashola, wife of former Lagos governor Babatunde Fashola; Dele Babarinsa, co-founder of Tell magazine; Yemi Ogunbiyi, Managing Director of Daily Times; and Gbenga Adefaye, Provost of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism.
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Following the service, her body was conveyed to her final resting place in Lekki, where she was laid to rest amid prayers, hymns, and heartfelt tributes.
Dr Doyinsola Abiola, who died on August 5, 2025, at the age of 82, is remembered as a trailblazer in Nigerian journalism, a defender of democracy, and a matriarch whose quiet strength and enduring influence left an indelible mark on the nation.
News
Air Peace Reacts To NSIB’s Report On Drug, Alcohol
Published
21 hours agoon
September 12, 2025By
Editor
The management of Air Peace has reacted to media reports based on a purported preliminary report by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, regarding an incident involving one of its aircraft at the Port Harcourt International Airport on July 13, 2025.
The airline’s reaction was contained in a statement signed by its management and shared on its official X account on Friday.
Air Peace, which operates domestic and regional routes, has in recent years positioned itself as Nigeria’s flagship private carrier, with a reputation for relatively strong operational standards in an industry often plagued by safety concerns.
The airline is also IOSA-certified, a global safety benchmark by the International Air Transport Association.
The PUNCH reports that the NSIB on Friday indicted an Air Peace pilot and a Co-pilot for taking hard drugs and alcohol.
The accident investigators tested the crew positive for the substances after the aircraft they flew was involved in a runway excursion at the Port Harcourt International Airport on July 13, 2025.
READ ALSO:JUST IN: Air Peace Crew Tested Positive For Alcohol, Drug — NSIB Report
This was contained in a preliminary report signed by the Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance at Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, Mrs Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, made available to PUNCH Online on Friday.
However, reacting to the report, on Friday, the airline’s statement partly read: “Our attention has been drawn to media stories on a purported preliminary report by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) currently circulating online and in the media regarding the incident involving one of our aircraft at Port Harcourt on July 13, 2025.
“We are yet to receive any official communications from the NSIB on such findings over a month after the incident and after the testing of the crew for alcohol, which took place in less than an hour of the incident.”
The carrier emphasised that it places the highest priority on safety, transparency, and compliance, describing the report as misleading.
“As a responsible airline, we place utmost priority on safety, transparency, and compliance, and it is important to set the record straight,” the statement said.
The airline further explained its internal policies on crew discipline, stating, “Air Peace conducts frequent alcohol and drug tests on our crew. We have a very strict alcohol use policy that is stricter than the 8 hours before the flight as provided in the regulations. Drug use is a NO-NO!”
READ ALSO:JUST IN: Tension As Air Peace Flight Veers Off Runway In Port Harcourt
Providing details of actions taken after the Port Harcourt incident, Air Peace revealed that the captain of the affected flight was grounded.
“The captain of the affected flight was grounded and relieved from further flight duty till date for failure to adhere to Crew Resource Management (CRM) principles and for disregarding standard go-around procedures as advised by his co-pilot but not for testing positive to the breathalyser test, as the result was not communicated to us by NSIB to date”, the airline’s statement added.
However, the airline defended the co-pilot, saying he acted professionally during the incident. “Contrary to reports in the media, the First Officer (Co-pilot), who demonstrated professionalism in calling for a go-around to his captain, has been reinstated into active flying duties, with full approval from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
“The NCAA cleared him. If he was involved in drug or alcohol use, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority would not have cleared him to resume flight duties”, it stated.
The airline added that if the relieved captain’s test result later proves positive, then it would “increase the frequency of our alcohol and drug tests on our crew.”
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Air Peace also stressed the importance of retraining and stricter monitoring going forward.
“Again, the importance of Enhanced Crew Resource Management Training cannot be overemphasised. We will intensify strict Fitness-for-Duty checks and Stronger Internal Monitoring to prevent any breach of our zero-tolerance safety policy”, the statement continued.
Reassuring passengers and the Nigerian public, the airline added: “Air Peace has consistently maintained a strong safety record and strictly implements global best practices in all aspects of its operations, and we reassure our esteemed passengers and the Nigerian public that safety will never be compromised in Air Peace.”
The July 13, 2025, incident at Port Harcourt International Airport reportedly involved a go-around manoeuvre initiated by the co-pilot after the captain allegedly failed to adhere to standard landing procedures.
Media reports suggested that alcohol consumption may have been a factor, citing a breathalyser test.
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