ON TV reporter brutalized for resisting plot by 9 suspended NUJ members to steal Correspondents bus

By Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

The ONTV Correspondent in Edo state, Mr. Gbenga Olowokere was allegedly brutalized on Tuesday morning, becoming the first victim of the crises rocking the state Council of the Union.
This followed a scuffle that ensued between him and the state Correspondent of New Telegraph Newspaper, Cajetan Mmuta who attacked him with an iron bar on his head.
He was attacked in presence of some members of the nine suspended members of the NUJ in the state in connection with N5 million scam which was a parting gift by the former governor of the state, Adams Oshiomhole, has set the union and the Correspondents Chairman on edge.
Olowokere, a member of the NUJ Correspondents Chapel was allegedly attacked after he resisted plot by some suspended members to forcibly take the chapel bus out of the Centre at about 4:30 am on Tuesday.
Olowokere, a member of the NUJ Correspondents Chapel was allegedly attacked after he resisted plot by some suspended members to forcibly take the chapel bus out of the Centre at about 4:30 am on Tuesday.
Mr. Patrick Ochoga (Leadership) and Mmuta, both former Secretary and Vice chairman of the Chapel were accompanied by thugs to the NUJ press premises where the bus was kept for safekeeping after it was stolen four weeks ago by the driver simply identified as Farouk.
Trouble started when the state chairman of the Union Mr Roland Osakue on Monday reportedly gave the suspended 9 the key to the chapel bus and travelled out of the state.
His decision followed threats of being suspended by the National President Mr Waheed Odusile acting in concert with Mr Eddy Ogude, the Vice President, South-south at a recent NEC NUJ meeting over the Edo NUJ Congress to lift suspension of the 9.
Osakue had also given Aliu Ozioruva, the impeached secretary, who was recently expelled from the NUJ Correspondents Chapel having become a freelancer, the key to his office contrary to Congress resolutions and in deference to the NUJ National NEC.