A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on Monday began the hearing in the violation of the fundamental human rights suit filed against the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and eight others over alleged assault on a journalist, Mr Yomi Olomofe.
The Lagos State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) had filed a N500 million criminal suit against NCS over the brutal assault of Olomofe, at Seme border post last year.
The NUJ is asking for N500 million as special and exemplary damages for the violation of the applicant’s fundamental human rights.
Olomofe is the Editorial Board chairman of Badagry Prime news magazine.
At the commencement of trial on Monday, Justice Abdulazeez Anka, told the applicant to effect service of the motion papers to all the respondents.
In the suit filed by counsel to the plaintiff, Mr Jiti Ogunye, the NUJ prayed the court to enforce Olomofe’s fundamental human rights to life, dignity of the human person and freedom of expression and the press following the severe assault and beating he suffered in hands of the Customs and some hoodlums.
The applicant, in the suit, asked the court for a declaration that the beating meted out to him by the defendants, who inflicted bodily and internal injuries on him on June 25, 2015, in the premises of the NCS, Seme, was “capable of infringing on his rights to life.
The applicant prayed the court to declare that the beating in the course of discharging his professional duties and obligations, constituted an infringement on his rights to freedom of expression and the press as guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution.
Justice Anka adjourned the case till March 16, for report of service and possible hearing.
