According to the punch news
The Nigerian Union of Journalists, Lagos State chapter, says it will sue
the Nigerian Customs Service over the battering of its member, Yomi
Olomofe, by suspected smugglers in the Seme, Badagry area of the
state.
Also, the Lagos State Office of the Public Defender said it would write
the NCS Comptroller-General to ensure a proper investigation into the
incident, which occurred on the premises of the NCS Seme Area
Command last week Thursday, June 25.
PUNCH Metro had reported on Wednesday, July 1, that Olomofe, who is
the director of Badagry-based Prime Magazine, was battered by the
suspected smugglers, who claimed that he wrote against their activities
in the area.
Speaking with PUNCH Metro on Thursday, the Lagos NUJ Chairman,
Deji Elumoye, said the NCS authorities would be joined in the suit which
the union was planning to file.
He said, “Harassing and assaulting journalists are becoming rampant
among government agencies. We want to pursue this case in a law
court, so that it would serve as a deterrent to others.
“The Comptroller-General of Customs and the Seme Area Commander
will be served our papers by Friday (today).
“If a government agency has no skeletons in its cupboard, a journalist
should not be prevented from doing his job. So, we want the law to
take its course. Our colleague, Olomofe, is still being treated in the
hospital, and a lot of money is being spent on the treatment.
“We have also petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Solomon
Arase, to conduct an investigation into the matter. This is because
after the assault, Olomofe went to the Area K Command to report the
matter, but the policemen said he should go back to Seme where he
was beaten up to make a report. The bottom line is that we are going
to court.”
The Lagos OPD Director, Mrs. Omotola Rotimi, said the NCS
investigations should be thoroughly carried out to produce the
suspects, who would be charged to court for criminal assault.
She said, “We are going to write the NCS Comptroller General to ensure
that an investigation into the incident is carried out, and the suspects
produced for prosecution. We understand that the customs are already
investigating the matter.
“We would have held customs responsible for a breach of fundamental
human rights if their officers were directly involved in the attack. What
we ask for is that the NCS should ensure a quick arrest of those
mentioned, and we will charge the individuals for criminal assault. This
may attract 15 years imprisonment.
“By Friday (today), the letter will get to the NCS authorities. We want
an investigation that will produce the suspects.”
