A journalist with Murhi International Television (MITV), Mr Habeeb Adejobi, has petitioned the police against the Chairman of Kosofe Local Government Area, Mr Moyo Ogunlewe, over an alleged assault and related offences during an official assignment.
Adejobi, through his solicitors, Giwa Legal, in a petition dated March 16 and addressed to the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Alagbon, Ikoyi, Lagos, accused Ogunlewe and some of his aides of assault.
Which occasioning harm, criminal intimidation, unlawful seizure of property, obstruction of lawful duty, abuse of office and unlawful detention.
The journalist alleged that the incident occurred on March 11 at the Kosofe Local Government Secretariat, where he had gone to cover the screening exercise of newly appointed supervisors and special advisers.
According to the petition, Adejobi had arrived at the venue and was attempting to notify relevant officials of his presence when a man approached him and allegedly ordered him to leave on the directive of the council chairman.
The petition stated that the situation later escalated when Ogunlewe arrived at the venue and demanded identification from the journalist.
Adejobi alleged that while he was trying to comply, the chairman ordered his aides and security personnel to seize his camera and eject him from the premises.
He further claimed that he was assaulted by some individuals, including officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and members of a task force attached to the chairman.
The journalist alleged that he was beaten, threatened and later taken against his will to the Ogudu Police Station, where his mobile phone was also seized.
He said he sustained injuries during the attack and was subsequently hospitalised.
Adejobi added that he was only allowed to leave the police station after the intervention of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO).
His solicitors urged the police to carry out a thorough investigation into the matter and ensure that all those allegedly involved were brought to justice.
“Our client was lawfully carrying out his constitutional and professional duty as a journalist when he was allegedly harassed, assaulted and unlawfully detained.
“We urge the police authorities to conduct a diligent investigation and ensure that justice is served in line with the rule of law,” the petition read in part.
Similarly, the Journalists for Democratic Rights (JODER), a civil society organisation, has condemned the alleged attack, describing it as a violation of press freedom and democratic norms.
In a statement, JODER’s Executive Director, Mr Adewale Adeoye, said the incident was unacceptable in a democratic society and evoked memories of the repression journalists faced during military rule.
“It is quite embarrassing and should not happen in a democracy.
“The violation of the rights of a journalist in the course of his duty is condemnable in the strongest terms,” Adeoye said.
He called on the police to investigate the matter thoroughly and prosecute those found culpable, including the individual alleged to have led the attack.
Adeoye also urged the Lagos State House of Assembly to institute a probe into the incident.
“Attacks on journalists constitute a grave threat to democratic governance and undermine the constitutional role of the media in holding public officials accountable.
“Authorities must guarantee the safety of journalists covering political and governmental activities across Lagos State,” he said.
JODER warned that continued attacks on journalists could erode public confidence in democratic institutions and weaken civic accountability.
As of the time of filing this report, there was no official response from Ogunlewe or the Kosofe Local Government authority on the allegations.
