Emmauel Ukudolo
Nigeria, February 02, 2016 – Wednesday, February 03, 2016 has been set aside for hearing of the suit filed by the Nigerian Union of Journalists(NUJ) Lagos State on behalf of Otunba Yomi Olomofe against the Comptroller- General of Nigerian Customs Service and eight others for the enforcement of his fundamental human right, right to life, dignity of the human person and freedom of expression.
The case comes before Justice Anka of the Federal High Court Ikoyi, Lagos by 9am.
NUJ had filed the N500 million suit against Nigerian Customs Service for the brutal assault of one Yomi Olomoefe, a Badagry-based-journalist at Seme border post, Lagos, Nigeria.
Human rights lawyer, Barrister Jiti Ogunye will stand in for the NUJ and the battered journalist.
Speaking at a press conference, Ogunye said the brutal assault on the journalist by un identified persons within the premises of Nigerian Customs Service over six months ago was in clear violation of his fundamental human rights.
He noted that one of their demands from the court was to make pronouncement against the treatment meted on the journalist who was left to die in a refuse dump after the beating.
He explained that medical reports indicated that the journalist who is still recuperating suffered severe injury and psychological trauma after the incident.
The human rights lawyer said it was unfortunate that journalists that played a prominent role in the return of democracy to the country have continued to be battered by security agents and the powers that be.
