The Chairman of Kosofe Local Government Council in Lagos, Mr. Moyo Ogunlewe, has dismissed reports alleging that a journalist was attacked within the premises of the council secretariat on Wednesday, describing the claim as false and politically motivated.
Ogunlewe was reacting to online reports that a cameraman identified as Habeeb Adejobi, said to be working with MITV, was assaulted while attempting to cover the screening and swearing-in ceremony of supervisory councillors at the council secretariat.
The council chairman, however, insisted that no such incident occurred, stressing that the allegation was a deliberate attempt by political opponents to tarnish the image of the local government leadership.
According to him, he personally noticed the individual when he entered the secretariat and began setting up a camera without proper identification or clearance.
“I saw a man setting up a camera within the premises and approached him to ask where he was from. He said he came from a television station but he had no identification card or any proof that he was a journalist,” Ogunlewe said.
He explained that the man later produced a document claiming he was affiliated with Arise Television, a claim which the station reportedly denied.
“I was even more surprised to later read online that he is now being described as a reporter with MITV,” the chairman added.
Ogunlewe further stated that the individual was taken to the Ogudu Police Station for questioning after he was unable to present valid identification or any official assignment letter confirming he was on duty.
“Since he could not provide any form of identification or proof of assignment, we took him to the Ogudu Police Station to give a statement,” he said.
The chairman maintained that no assault took place within the council premises and expressed disappointment over the spread of what he described as misinformation.
He also said the incident appeared to be connected to an earlier political dispute that occurred months ago at ACME, alleging that the individual might have been sent by political rivals to create controversy.
“What happened is linked to an incident at ACME several months ago. It appears he was sent by our opponents to embarrass us.
”Nobody was attacked in our local government. My political opponents are clearly at work,” Ogunlewe said.
Reacting to the allegation, a senior official of the local government, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that police authorities had requested the supposed journalist to submit a statement regarding the alleged assault.
According to the official, both the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ogudu Police Station and the Area Commander asked the individual to provide details of the alleged incident, but he was reportedly unable to produce evidence to support his claims.
The official maintained that the council leadership remained focused on its responsibilities despite what it described as attempts at political blackmail.
“We are aware that some political opponents are behind this. However, we are not deterred.
”We will remain focused on the development goals we have set for the local government and will not be distracted by baseless allegations,” the official said.
