Battering Of Journalist: Lagos NUJ To Sue Customs

Battering Of Journalist: Lagos NUJ To

Sue Customs

By Ayo Balogun – Sequel to the battering and

near-murder of a journalist, Yomi Olomofe, in

Badagry last week, the Lagos State Council of

the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) is set

to file a wide-range of law suits against the

Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), having

briefed its lawyers on the sad occurrence.

The Chairman of the union, Comrade Deji

Elumoye, made this known in Lagos on

Tuesday in a statement issued in Ikeja on the

steps taken so far to seek redress over the

unfortunate incident.

Elumoye said he was baffled that Olomofe,

who is the Executive Director and Chairman,

Editorial Board of Badagry Prime, a news

magazine, was last Thursday beaten into a

state of coma by smugglers, in the full glare

of the public, within the premises of the

Seme-Border Command of the Nigeria

Customs Service.

Wondering why a journalist going about his

lawful duties would be so harassed and

molested, Elumoye noted that the leadership

of the union has instructed its team of

lawyers to file charges, which includes but

not limited to attempted-murder, accessory,

aiding and abetting, manslaughter,

harassment and assault, among others,

against the Service and some of its officers, in

order to see that justice is done on the

matter.

The union boss also vowed to ensure that the

case would be pursued to a logical

conclusion. He further enjoined journalists in

the country not to be deterred by what

happened to “one of our colleagues” but

rather brace up for more challenges in the

course of duty, if they are to live up to their

billing in exposing the ills and rots in the

society.

“Customs and its officers are to be held

responsible for this, because the incident

happened within their territory. They had a

duty to protect their visitors but they reneged

in their duty.

“And why would they allow smugglers and

hoodlums into their premises? Those are the

people they are supposed to checkmate, but

it seems they are now working together.

“They will have to explain to the law. We

won’t be scared from doing our job. They

think they can harass journalists from

exposing smugglers, but they have failed. As

a matter of fact, this will further spur us to

work harder”, the statement further said.

Elumoye also reminded his colleagues and

employers in the media industry of the

existing insurance scheme put in place by the

union, urging them to take advantage of the

scheme and key into it for individual and

collective benefits.