Betta Edu Threatens lawsuit against BBC, Demands $50m Compensation

Betta Edu, the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, has threatened to sue the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) for alleged defamation.

In a letter signed by her counsel, Chikaosolu Ojukwu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Edu demanded $50 million compensation from the media organization.

The letter, addressed to BBC’s Abuja and London offices, claimed that 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.

“Our client has suffered immeasurable reputational damage, psychological trauma and anguish as a direct consequence of the publication and dissemination of the article,” the letter read.

The letter further criticized 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.

Parts of 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.