The Journalists for Democratic Rights (JODER) has called for a full-scale investigation into the alleged assault on an MITV reporter, Mr Habeeb Adejobi, at the Kosofe Local Government Council Secretariat in Lagos.
The incident happened on the 11th of March.
JODER described the incident as a serious violation of press freedom and an affront to democratic norms, warning that attacks on journalists undermine accountability and good governance.
The rights group said Adejobi was allegedly attacked on Wednesday by suspected loyalists of the Chairman of Kosofe Local Government Area, Mr Moyo Ogunlewe, while covering the screening of newly appointed supervisors and special advisers at the council secretariat.
In a statement, JODER’s Executive Director, Mr Adewale Adeoye, said the incident was both embarrassing and unacceptable in a democratic environment.
“This is quite embarrassing. It should not happen in a democracy.
“The violation of the rights of a journalist in the course of his official duty is condemnable in the strongest terms,” Adeoye said.
He said the alleged assault brought back memories of the repression and atrocities journalists suffered during the era of military rule in Nigeria.
Adeoye said it was particularly disturbing that such an incident occurred at a time a new local government chairman was being sworn into office, describing it as an ominous start for the administration.
“It is a terrible way for a new administration to begin, especially at a time when journalists should be free to discharge their constitutional responsibility without fear or intimidation,” he said.
He urged the police to thoroughly investigate the matter and ensure that the person alleged to have led the attack, said to be the driver to the council chairman, was apprehended and prosecuted.
Adeoye also called on the Lagos State House of Assembly to probe the incident, saying the alleged conduct of the driver was uncivilised and unacceptable.
“We think it is abnormal for a local government chairman to keep a thug as his driver,” he said.
JODER stressed that journalists must be allowed to carry out their professional duties without harassment, intimidation or violence.
The organisation warned that repeated attacks on media practitioners posed a direct threat to democratic governance and weakened the media’s watchdog role in holding public office holders accountable.
It, therefore, urged relevant authorities to take urgent and decisive measures to protect journalists covering political and governmental activities across Lagos State.
