The Nigeria Union of Journalists has said it would petition the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Dikko Abubakar, the National Judicial Council and the Nigeria Bar Association for the manhandling and detention of journalists by policemen on the order of the Presiding Magistrate of Court Six, Ikeja, Lagos, Chief Magistrate A.A. Osoniyi.
The NUJ’s position was made known on Friday in Kaduna by its President, Mohammed Garba.
Osoniyi had on Wednesday ordered the police to take the newsmen into the custody of the Area ‘F’ Police Command, where they were beaten and wounded.
Speaking with members of the Kaduna Council of NUJ on Friday, Garba said: “I have been briefed about the unfortunate incident by the Lagos State Council executive and we at the national level have taken over the matter.
We condemn this unprovoked, unwarranted and uncivilised assault on our members.
“We are not taking it lightly this time.
“We are already talking with our lawyers and we shall write a strongly-worded petition to the Inspector-General of Police, the National Judicial Council and the Nigerian Bar Association and request them to take appropriate actions against this magistrate and other people involved in the matter.
“If we are not satisfied with their response, we will surely take the matter to court.
“Our lawyers are already working on it.”