Emmanuel Ikechukwu
Following a near death experience a journalist, Yomi Olomore suffered in the hands of smugglers in Badagry last week, the Lagos State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) is about to file law suits against the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), over the incident.
This was made known to pressmen by the chairman of the union, Deji Elumoye 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.
He wonders why a journalist going about his lawful duties would be so harassed and molested. He further revealed that the leadership of the union has instructed its team of lawyers to file charges, which include 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.Vowing 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.
