The Akwa Ibom Nigeria Union of Journalists has sought removal of the Police Commandant at Government House, Uyo, DSP Ezra Yuguda, for allegedly assaulting a journalist.
Yuguda is alleged to have assaulted Harrison Essien, a staffer of Akwa Ibom Broadcasting Corporation (Radio Service), Uyo while on official duty to cover the primary of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Secretariat in Uyo.
The demand is one of a nine-point communique of the Union issued at its Congress in Uyo, signed by the State Chairman of the NUJ, Comrade Amos Etuk and the Secretary, Comrade Dominic Akpan.
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The union also demanded compensation and apology from DSP Ezra Yuguda to the injured journalist.
The NUJ warned that failure to meet its demand within the stipulated time contained in its petition to the State Commissioner of Police, it would charge the matter to Court.
The Union said it was an act of overzealousness that DSP Yuguda left his duties at Government House to harass innocent citizens during the accreditation of Journalists for PDP primaries at the party’s Secretariat, where the Governor was not even in attendance.
It said apart from releasing teargas on innocent citizens at the PDP Secretariat, DSP Ezra Yuguda ran amok, assaulting anyone on sight both within and outside the PDP Office located at Atan Offot in Uyo.
The NUJ said the unprovoked act of hitting an unarmed Journalist in his eyes is an irresponsible and uncivilized conduct of a Deputy Superintendent of Police and a clear case of gross violation of the rights of Comrade Harrison Essien.
It is on record that the same DSP Ezra Yuguda has been using his office to assault innocent members of the public, the recent being former Councilors and pensioners in Akwa Ibom who protested the non-payment of their entitlements, releasing teargas on them at Barracks Road, leading to the Government House, Uyo.
On 4th May, 2021, the same DSP Ezra Yuguda reportedly assaulted lawyers in Akwa Ibom who were on a peaceful protest in Uyo to demand financial autonomy for the Judiciary.
In an interview with Straightnews on Tuesday, Essien said ”I was assaulted by Police Officer, DSP Ezra Yuguda during the PDP primaries at PDP Secretariat, Uyo.
”He hit my right eyes which I’ve done a scan and the consultant Ophthalmologist at University of Uyo Teaching Hospital said I wont be able to see with my right eyes again.
I’ve reported to the NUJ and the union has petitioned the Commissioner of Police. I was invited last week to State CID, Ikot Akpan Abia, where I have given my statement.’’
