The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ogun State Council, has issued a strong statement urging Governor Dapo Abiodun to restrain his Special Assistant on Students Affairs, Azeez Adeyemi, following allegations of harassment and physical assault against a journalist.
The call comes after Toheeb Olajide Osoba, publisher of Newsangle and a recognized NUJ member, was reportedly beaten on Adeyemi's directive during the Workers' Day celebration at the June 12 Cultural Center in Abeokuta on May 1, 2025.
Escalating Harassment Claims
According to a statement signed by NUJ Ogun Council Chairman Wale Olarenwaju and Secretary Bunmi Adigun, the situation has escalated beyond the initial assault. The union alleges that Adeyemi has filed multiple petitions against Osoba, labeling him as "a member of a dreaded cult group" and using his official position to orchestrate police harassment.
"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," the statement detailed. "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."
Union's Response and Demands
Following the incident, the NUJ Ogun Council had ordered a temporary blacklist on coverage of student activities in the state pending investigations by both the union and police.
The union has now taken more decisive action, declaring Adeyemi and his associates "persona non grata" at the NUJ Secretariat, Iwe Iroyin Press House in Abeokuta. They have also demanded an immediate end to the harassment and called for a proper investigation into the May Day incident.
"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 statement emphasized.
The union further warned that it "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."
As of the time of reporting, there has been no official response from Governor Abiodun's office regarding the allegations against his aide.
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