EFOSA IYAMU’S NEXT MOVE

The Executive Director on Protocol to Governor Adams Oshiomhole, Efosa Iyamu, popularly called EFEX De Entertainer, is set to launch his long-awaited book titled MORE THAN COMEDY. This bundle of talents has made name for himself as one of the finest comedians in the South South before being called upon by the comrade governor to be part of his administration. The book is not just all about comedy but also the other side of Efex as a complete change agent who loves to impact his society positively and be a role model to the younger generation. The Governor of Edo State will grace the occasion as Special Guest of Honour. The book launch will take place at Imagiero School Hall, Sapele Road in Benin City, on 19th February 2016 by 9am. Its worth to note that Efex as he is fondly called by his admirers owns the monthly show on every last Friday tagged SERIOUSLY FUNNY WITH EFEX which is an evening of comedy, music, dance and empowerment.

ASSAULT ON JOURNALIST: COURT HEARS SUIT AGAINST CUSTOMS FEBRUARY 27

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has fixed February 27 to hear the fundamental rights suit filed by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lagos State Chapter against the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and eight others over alleged assault on one of its members.

The NUJ, Lagos chapter had filed the case against the defendants on behalf of a Badagry-based journalist, Otunba Yomi Olomofe for the enforcement of his fundamental 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 suspected hoodlums allegedly hired by the custom officials.

When the matter came up yesterday for mention before Justice A. Anka, though none of the defendants was in court nor represented, however, the counsel representing the plaintiff, Adelayo Banjo of Jiti Ogunye chambers informed the court that the defendants are yet to be served on the processes of the case.

Subsequently the court fixed February 27 for the hearing of the case while directing that all processes in the case be served on the defendants. The Lagos State Chapter of NUJ had filed a N500 million criminal suit against NCS, over the brutal assault of Olomofe, at Seme border post of the NCS last year. The NUJ is asking for N500 million as special and exemplary damages for the violation of the applicant’s rights.

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 right to life as guaranteed by Section 33 (1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Article 4 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.”

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