The Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Lagos State Council, has urged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to call his Chief Security Officer, CSO, Mr. Kunle Fagbemi, to order over alleged repeated incidents of harassment against journalists performing their lawful duties.
The most recent episode reportedly occurred on Saturday at Lagos House, Ikeja, during an empowerment programme organised by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals in collaboration with the Renewed Hope Initiative, spearheaded by the wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Fagbemi allegedly obstructed and verbally assaulted the governor’s official press crew, preventing them from carrying out their professional responsibilities.
NUJ condemns harassment, demands apology
In a statement jointly signed by the Lagos NUJ Chairman and Secretary, Mr. Adeleye Ajayi and Tunde Olalere respectively, the union expressed grave concern over what it described as misconduct by the CSO, noting that this marked the third reported case of Kunle Fagbemi’s harassment of journalists.
“This growing pattern of intimidation is not only unprofessional but also an affront to press freedom and democratic values,” Ajayi stated.
The NUJ emphasised it will not remain passive while “overzealous individuals infringe on the rights of members of the Fourth Estate to perform their constitutional responsibilities.”
The union demanded an official apology from Mr. Fagbemi and urged him to desist from further harassment of journalists or obstructing them in their professional duties.
Protect press freedom -NUJ
Reiterating its commitment to defending press freedom, the Lagos NUJ stressed that journalists play an essential role in upholding democracy and should never be treated as adversaries.
“Journalists are not enemies of the state. They are partners in democratic governance, and their rights must be respected at all times,” Ajayi said.
The union further called on Governor Sanwo-Olu to ensure his aides and security officers are adequately trained to understand the critical role of journalists in promoting transparency and accountability.
