The International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos–Nigeria has condemned the assault on journalist Leftist Aimeuaewonso, who received slaps and punches from a member of the Edo State House of Assembly, Ephraim Aluebhosele when he questioned him on action being taken to fix an abandoned road in his constituency yesterday, Monday July 4th, 2022.
Reports reaching IPC Safety Alert Desk state that the journalist sustained varying degrees of injury after the assault by the lawmaker and some of his aides.
IPC, according to a statement by its Press Freedom Officer, Melody Lawal, said it is of the firm opinion that “the lawmaker had no legal right to beat up Aimeuaewonso notwithstanding the situation, as the act was very condescending for a duty bearer who has the responsibility to give account to the citizens who voted him into governance”.
IPC therefore called for immediate action against the lawmaker, adding that the Speaker of the House of Assembly should thoroughly investigate the incident and the lawmaker should be made to face the appropriate punishment for his actions.
“A public apology should also be issued by the lawmaker and the journalist affected should be compensated appropriately”, said Lawal
