Governor Babatunde Fashola

Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders on Tuesday, called on Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola to probe the attack on PUNCH photo journalist, Mr. Goke Famadewa, by officials of the Kick Against Indiscipline and some policemen.

CACOL Executive chairman, Debo Adeniran, in a statement, condemned the attack, describing it as barbaric.

He said, “We deemed it necessary to draw the attention of Your Excellency to the aberration perpetrated some men of the Nigeria Police and some KAI officials, who attacked and molested Famadewa, for taking pictures of illegal structures being demolished at Sandgrouse, Lagos Island.

“The offence of the photojournalist, according to the KAI officials, was that, he took the pictures of the demolished structures without taking permission from the officers on duty.”

The PUNCH had on Tuesday, reported the attack on Famadewa, who was allegedly beaten and dispossessed of his phone and camera by his assailants. He was later detained for several hours and eventually released after the said pictures had been deleted from his camera. The policemen, who attacked him, are said to be attached to the state Task Force on Environmental Offences Enforcement Unit, Alausa.

He urged Fashola to begin an investigation into the case.

Adeniran added, “The barbaric treatment meted out to an average Lagosian by KAI officials on a daily basis, has called for an urgent intervention from well-meaning Nigerians.

“Famadewa was carrying out his lawful duty as a photojournalist of a reputable newspaper like The PUNCH and we see no reason why the KAI officials should descend to the level of such uncivilised and reprehensible act of beating and molesting him.”

Meanwhile, the Public Relations Officer of the Lagos Public Advice Centre, Mr. Bolaji Omorodion, on Tuesday, called The PUNCH office to speak with Famadewa.  Omorondion advised Famadewa to come to his office and lodge a formal complaint so that the errant policemen and KAI officers could be sanctioned.