Former National Coordinator of the Nigerian Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), Hajia Halima Shehu
By EZEKIEL OBI, Abuja-
Former National Coordinator of the Nigerian Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), Hajia Halima Shehu, has issued a legal threat against blogger Tunde Ednut for what she describes as a defamatory publication.
Shehu, through her legal team, warned of a lawsuit seeking substantial damages unless Ednut retracts the alleged false claims, issues an apology, and compensates her within seven days.
In a letter addressed to Ednut, signed by Dr. Abdul Mahmud, Seun Awolade, and Ojonugwa Ogwuche, and shared with journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, Shehu’s legal team condemned a post on Ednut’s Instagram account (@mazitundeednut) dated August 16.
The post allegedly claimed that Shehu “transferred $44 million of government funds into her personal accounts” while leading NSIPA and suggested that, upon her arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), she claimed the transfer was a mistake involving her four personal accounts.
The lawyers described the publication as “false, malicious, and grossly defamatory,” asserting it was intended to tarnish Shehu’s reputation and portray her as a dishonest public official who misappropriated funds.
They emphasized that no anti-corruption agency, including the EFCC, nor any court has indicted, tried, or convicted Shehu of financial misconduct.
“Your publication was reckless, unfounded, and defamatory,” the letter stated.
Mahmud highlighted Shehu’s distinguished career, noting her decades of service in public administration, financial management, and poverty alleviation, marked by integrity and exemplary leadership.
“Prior to your reckless publication, our client was widely regarded by right-thinking members of society as a reputable, law-abiding, and principled public servant,” he added.
The legal team demanded that Ednut cease disseminating the alleged defamatory statement, provide a written undertaking to stop its circulation, and issue a public retraction and apology in the same medium used for the original post.
The retraction must clearly state the falsehood of the allegations. Additionally, they demanded compensation for costs, expenses, and damages incurred by Shehu in defending her reputation.
The letter concluded with a warning: “Unless we receive your full compliance with the above demands within seven (7) days of your receipt of this letter, we have our client’s firm instructions to proceed against you in a court of competent jurisdiction for defamation, seeking substantial damages, injunctive reliefs, interest, and costs, without further recourse to you.”
