Douglas Ogbankwa Files Complaint Against NUJ Journalists, Alleges Physical Attack And Death Threats
The Edo State Police Command has launched a manhunt for Friday Freeman Aghedo, Orobosa Omo-Ojo, and other journalists from the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) following a complaint filed by Douglas Ogbankwa, alleging attempted murder, cyberstalking, criminal defamation, and cyberbullying.
The incident occurred at the Criminal Court 1 in Benin City, where the accused journalists, who were not present in court, allegedly published false information about Douglas Ogbankwa being docked. The NUJ Edo State Chairman, Festus Alenkhe, was accused of endorsing this unethical conduct due to an alleged unholy alliance with one Sandra Palmer Agho.
The situation escalated when Douglas Ogbankwa involved the police, leading to the immediate arrest of Friday Freeman Aghedo. However, the NUJ Chairman intervened, stating that journalists cannot be arrested, and allegedly engineered the journalists to physically attack Ogbankwa.
According to reports, the journalists, including Aliu of Vanguard Newspapers, descended on Ogbankwa with blows and fist cuffs, with one journalist allegedly deflating Ogbankwa’s tires and Aliu locking the gate. The incident has raised concerns about the standards of journalism in Nigeria, with allegations of media consultants having vested interests in matters instead of providing fair reportage.
Friday Freeman Aghedo and Aliu of Vanguard Newspapers allegedly threatened to kill Douglas Ogbankwa, all of which occurred in the presence of the police, who maintained decorum throughout the incident.
The police are now investigating the serious allegations of attempted murder, cyberstalking, criminal defamation, and cyberbullying against the accused journalists.
