The Chairman of Kosofe Local Government Area, Mr Moyo Ogunlewe, has strongly debunked allegations that a journalist with MITV, Habeeb Adejobi, was attacked within the premises of the council secretariat in Lagos on Wednesday.
Ogunlewe, reacting to online reports that Adejobi was assaulted while attempting to cover the screening and swearing-in of supervisory councillors at the secretariat, said he personally noticed the cameraman when he entered the premises and began setting up his camera.
According to the chairman, the man failed to provide proper identification to confirm that he was a journalist.
Ogunlewe said he was surprised to later read reports alleging that the individual had been assaulted by his aides.
He described the allegation as embarrassing, noting that he is the son of former senator and minister, Adeseye Ogunlewe.
“I just saw a man setting up a camera within the premises and asked where he was from. He said he came from a TV station. He had no identification card and nothing to show he was a genuine journalist,” Ogunlewe said.
“He produced a document claiming he was from Arise Television. I was surprised to later read that he is now said to be from MITV.”
The chairman further alleged that political opponents were behind the controversy, stating that the individual was taken to Ogudu Police Station for questioning.
“Adejobi claimed to come from Arise Television, but Arise said nobody bears such name. He claimed to have been sent by someone called Samuel,” Ogunlewe said.
“We took him to Ogudu Police Station when we caught him setting up a camera in the local government secretariat to give a statement because he was unable to produce an ID card.
“What happened is linked to an incident at ACME several months ago. He was allegedly sent by our opponents to embarrass us. Nobody was attacked in our local government. My political opponents are at work.”
Also speaking, a senior staff member at the local government said the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ogudu Police Station and the Area Commander asked the “journalist” to write a statement about the alleged assault, but he was unable to provide any evidence to support his claim.
“We know that some political opponents are at work, but we are not deterred. We will continue to pursue the vision we have for the local government. We are not moved by blackmail,” the staff member said.
