NUJ petitions IG, Solomon Arase, over journalist in detention

The Lagos State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Mr Solomon Arase over the detention of one of its members, Yomi Olomofe.

In a statement by the council’s lawyer, Mr Jiti Ogunye, Olomofe, who had been having a running battle with the Nigeria Customs Service, was invited to the State CID, Panti, Lagos, for clarification on the matter.

It said that rather than being questioned on the purpose of the visit, he was on Thursday detained.

“Olomofe, who doubles as the editorial board chairman of Badagry Prime News, was later moved to the Alagbon command in Ikoyi area of the state.

“The NUJ and Olomofe are seeking for a public apology, assurance of Olomofe’s safety, N100 million compensation for breach of fundamental rights.

“Olomofe has been admitted to the hospital for urgent medical attention due to the shock of his harassment by the police.

“He has been told by his doctors that he has relapsed into a state of depression with his blood pressure alarmingly high,’’ it said.

The statement said that the inability of the Police to bring the perpetrators of attempted murder to justice for nine months was a monumental scandal.

“In the circumstances, we hereby request, that the Nigeria Police Force refrain from further violating the rights of our client, at the instance of his assailants and tormentors, as described above.

“The Nigeria Police Force and the Inspector-General of Police should assure Olomofe and his family of their continued safety,’’ it said.