Former National Coordinator of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), Hajia Halima Shehu, has threatened legal action against popular blogger Tunde Ednut over what she described as a defamatory publication.
In a letter dated August 16 and signed by her lawyer, Dr. Abdul Mahmud, alongside Seun Awolade and Ojonugwa Ogwuche, Shehu demanded a retraction, public apology, and indemnity from Ednut within seven days.
According to the letter, Ednut, via his Instagram handle @mazitundeednut, alleged that Shehu fraudulently transferred $44 million of government funds into her personal accounts while serving as NSIPA coordinator, and later claimed the money was mistakenly deposited.
Mahmud dismissed the allegation as “false, malicious, and grossly defamatory,” stressing that neither the EFCC nor any court has ever indicted or convicted his client of financial misconduct.
“This publication was deliberately calculated to damage our client’s reputation, exposing her to hatred, contempt, and ridicule,” the lawyers stated.
They described Shehu as a respected public servant with decades of experience in public administration and poverty alleviation, noting that her career has been marked by integrity and commitment to social development.
The lawyers demanded that Ednut publish a retraction and apology through the same medium he used to spread the allegation and provide a written undertaking to desist from further defamatory posts.
They warned that failure to comply within seven days would result in legal proceedings to claim substantial damages, costs, and injunctive reliefs.
