Federal College Provost, Etukudoh, Thugs Attacks Journalist in Jos

By Jide Afolabi, Jos

The Provost, Federal College of Medical Laboratory, Jos, Plateau state capital, Dr Obong Etukudoh on Tuesday mobilised thugs and attacked Mr Azi Aware, a correspondent with the Democracy Newspaper.

Mr Azi was attacked at the premises of the High Court, Jos where Etukudoh and four others are facing trial on corruption allegation including money laundering, recruitment fauds and failure to effect Federal Character in the running of the affairs of the college. He was alleged to recruit his daughter imtoghe school.

According to the victim, he said that he was standing at the corridor when Etukudoh led his thugs to attack him alleging that he was covering the court processes and posting on social media especially Facebook about the case.

The journalist said that he was equally alleged to be taking photographs, an allegation he denied. The attackers forcefully seized his phone and yet to return it as at the time of filing this report.

Azi stated further that his colleague, a correspondent with the News Agency of Nigeria would have equally been attacked if he had not left the scene as at the time of the incident.

However, the victim has lodged a formal complaint at ‘A’ Division of the Nigeria Police Force under whose jurisdiction the event occurred. He has also lodged complaint at the Special Investigation Bureau, SIB, at the Nigeria Police Force, Plateau State Command.

The Police has assured that they would investigate the matter to unravel the immediate causes of the attacks, the perpetrators and their sponsors.

Meanwhile, Azi has called on the Nigerian Union of Journalists to wade into the matter so that privileged Nigerians like the embattled provost would not harass, molest or attack people of the fourth estate especially, when Etukudoh has threatened to deal with any journalist reporting his corruption allegation case in the state.

The embattled provost is being tried by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on allegations of money laundering including awarding contracts to his own company, Makata Construction Limited as well as using it to siphon fund. Etukudoh is standing trial with four others.