NUJ Urges Governor Abiodun to Restrain Aide Over Alleged Attacks on Journalist

By: Israel Adeleke

OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports that the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ogun State Council, has issued a stern call to Governor Dapo Abiodun to caution his Special Assistant on Students Matters, Azeez Adeyemi, over alleged acts of harassment, intimidation, and defamation against a journalist in the state.

OTN News further reports that, in a strongly worded statement jointly signed by the Council’s Chairman, Wale Olarenwaju, and Secretary, Bunmi Adigun, the union condemned what it described as “deplorable, unjustifiable and condemnable” conduct by Adeyemi towards a member of the press, Toheeb Olajide Osoba, editor of News Angle Online.

OTN News observes from the letter that, the controversy began on May 1, 2025, during Workers' Day celebrations in Abeokuta, when Osoba was reportedly assaulted and seriously injured by a group of students allegedly acting on the orders of Adeyemi. 

Furthermore, the council stated that the incident occurred at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, and was subsequently reported at the Ibara Divisional Police Station.

According to the NUJ, the situation has since escalated, with Adeyemi allegedly launching a retaliatory campaign against Osoba. 

The union said the governor’s aide has filed multiple petitions with the Ogun State Police Command and the Zone 2 Police Command in Lagos, accusing the journalist of cultism, a claim the NUJ described as frivolous and defamatory.

The union expressed concern that security agencies, acting on the strength of Adeyemi’s petitions, have attempted to arrest Osoba without prior invitation. 

The statement reads “The Nigeria Union of Journalists, Ogun State Council strongly condemn the deplorable, unjustifiable and condemnable acts of harassment, intimidation, and defamation of character on our esteemed colleague and member of the Union, Comrade Olajide Osoba by the overzealous Special Assistant to the Governor on Students Affairs, Mr Azeez Adeyemi.”

“This utterly unacceptable act began from the 2025 May 1st celebration which our Union, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), an affiliate Union of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) actively participated with her members. 

"Comrade Osoba, a bonafide member of the NUJ, was in attendance but later harassed, mercilessly beaten and seriously wounded, allegedly, on the directive of the Special Assistant to the Governor on Student Affairs, Comrade Azeez Adeyemi, while coming out of the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, without a cause.

“This unfortunate case, Comrade Osoba, incidented at the Ibara Divisional Police Station, Ibara, Abeokuta. 

"Following his invitation for inquiry by the police from Ibara Divisional Police Station, the S.A has left no stone unturned in his intentional attempt to harass, intimidate and coerce Olajide Osoba, as he embarked on retaliatory moves by writing two frivolous petitions in which he directly called Olajide Osoba a member of a dreaded cult group, and asked the police to hunt and arrest the journalist using his office as Special Assistant to Governor as basis for this oppression.

“Last week only, police officers from the State Headquarters, Eleweran, came to arrest Osoba, waiting on him from morning till night so as to be whisked away even without prior invitation. 

"In the same vein, officers from the Abeokuta division of the office of the AIG, Zone 2, Lagos, came with another letter of invitation while Adeyemi’s boys also continually laid siege for Osoba at the Iwe Iroyin Press Centre.

“This utterly uncivilized behaviour from the Special Assistant cannot be tolerated in a democratic society, granted that any form of assault on a journalist is an affront to the fundamental principles of press freedom and the right of citizens to access accurate and unbiased information. 

"The press must remain free, unshackled, and empowered to fulfill its vital role in society.

“It is deeply concerning that an individual entrusted with the responsibility of upholding law and order would resort to using excessive force and intimidation against journalists. Such actions not only undermine the integrity of the media but also erode the trust between the government and the people it serves.”

"The union called on the police desist from acting as agents of intimidation, calling on the police authority in Ogun state to conduct proper investigation into the matter, starting from 2025 May Day celebration brutal incident.

“We shall not tolerate or accept any move that will gag our members and prevent them from discharging their statutory responsibilities under any guise in Ogun State.

“That as proponents of freedom of the press, under no circumstance, shall we permit any move that will silence the conscience of the members of the fourth estate of the realm. Our Secretariat is a safe space for press freedom and professional journalism.

“We urge the government of Ogun State to take swift and decisive action to call the Special Assistant to order, and to ensure that measures are put in place to safeguard the rights and safety of lives of journalists as repeated infractions will no longer be treated lightly.

“That Ogun NUJ and its members have enjoyed good working relationship and fantastic partnership with the government of Prince Dapo Abiodun, Governor of Ogun State, and we shall not allow an overzealous Special Assistant to pitch government against the media, giving government bad image in the sights of the public.

“Ogun NUJ reiterates its commitment to defending the rights and dignity of journalists and maintaining the sanctity of the media space in the state." the statement added.